Caligula’s reign begins with reform and celebration but descends into cruelty and paranoia. Turning power into theater, he humiliates senators and terrorizes Rome, creating enemies at every level. Mocked and abused, Praetorian officer Cassius Chaerea leads a conspiracy that results in the brutal, public assassination of Caligula in 41 A.D. Though chaos follows, Claudius swiftly takes the throne.