Mad emperor Caligula may have been a big plant guy
By most historical accounts, the Roman Emperor Caligula was a nightmare–a sadistic, debaucherous, and unstable despot. However, some new reevaluations of primary source documents and ethnobotanical fieldwork now suggests there was more to the madman than tyrannical bloodlust. According to a study published in the Proceedings of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, Caligula was also fond of learning about medicinal plants. Few ancient rulers are as infamous as Caligula. Ruling Rome from only 37 to 41 CE, historical accounts indicate that the young Roman Emperor managed to pack an impressive amount of cruelty, debauchery, and bizarre edicts into reign. Although initially depicted in a more positive light, sources like Suetonius’ The Twelve Caesars describe Caligula as a “monster” by the time of his assassination in 41 CE. Among his many misdeeds: the emperor wantonly ordered the torture and execution of enemies, engaged in multiple incestuous relationships, and declared himself...