British Museum - The Roman emperor Caligula was born #onthisday in AD 12. Caligula was a nickname meaning 'little boot', which comes from 'caligae' – the heavy hobnailed boots worn by the
![The origin Caligula's name young Gaius earned nickname "Caligula" meaning "little soldier's boot" diminutive form caliga The origin Caligula's name young Gaius earned nickname "Caligula" meaning "little soldier's boot" diminutive form caliga](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-yzgoj/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/2621480/5575553/DPI12332664__32182.1569877489.jpg?c=2)
The origin Caligula's name young Gaius earned nickname "Caligula" meaning "little soldier's boot" diminutive form caliga
![Grace Exley on Twitter: "Roman Emperor Caligula would be horrified to know that he is remembered today by that name. His real name was Gaius. 'Caligula' was his infant nickname, meaning "little Grace Exley on Twitter: "Roman Emperor Caligula would be horrified to know that he is remembered today by that name. His real name was Gaius. 'Caligula' was his infant nickname, meaning "little](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0xuibFVoAAWzwz.jpg)
Grace Exley on Twitter: "Roman Emperor Caligula would be horrified to know that he is remembered today by that name. His real name was Gaius. 'Caligula' was his infant nickname, meaning "little
![Gareth Harney on Twitter: "1/2) The Roman legionary 'caliga' boot, famed as the source of the Emperor Gaius' nickname Caligula or 'little boots'. Caligae were perfectly designed for hard-marching legionaries: made of Gareth Harney on Twitter: "1/2) The Roman legionary 'caliga' boot, famed as the source of the Emperor Gaius' nickname Caligula or 'little boots'. Caligae were perfectly designed for hard-marching legionaries: made of](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EitChQ2XsAwVo_8.jpg:large)