Emperors · Roman Empire Daily
The emperor Caligula got his nickname as a toddler. It means 'little boot' after the army sandal, the caliga.
Deep dive
As a child, Gaius accompanied his father Germanicus on campaign dressed in a miniature soldier's outfit, including small caligae. The troops nicknamed him 'Caligula.' He reportedly disliked the name as an adult.
Source: Suetonius, 'Lives of the Caesars,' Caligula 9.
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