Forbidden Love and the Throne of Rome: The Tragic Story of Caligula and Drusilla

The history of the Roman Empire is filled with intrigue, but few tales are as dark as that of Emperor Caligula and his biological sister, Drusilla. Their relationship was not merely a usual sibling bond but an obsession that shook the morality of ancient Rome.

Caligula, the third ruler of Rome, known for his tyranny and madness, had a favorite among his three sisters: Drusilla. Their closeness was so extreme that it sparked widespread rumors of an incestuous relationship.

The Goddess and the Emperor

Drusilla was treated like an empress. Caligula reportedly even forced Drusilla's husband to divorce her so he could make her his 'wife' in the public eye, an act that violated all Roman social norms.

The peak of this obsession occurred when Caligula, in an unprecedented move, named Drusilla as his sole heir.

A Tragic End

This unusual bond ended quickly. Drusilla died suddenly in 38 AD. Caligula was struck by profound grief that turned into hysteria. He implemented a period of national mourning and, most surprisingly, bestowed upon Drusilla the title of "Goddess" (Diva Drusilla).

While modern historians debate how true the accusations of incest were or whether they were merely political propaganda, the story of Caligula and Drusilla's closeness remains one of the darkest and most mysterious chapters in the history of the tumultuous empire.