The emperors of Rome could be wise, just and kind. They could also be vindictive, cruel and insane. And most of all, they could be the worst perverts the world has ever seen β at least according to ancient historians like Suetonius, Pliny, and Cassius Dio.
Here are nearly a dozen of the most immoral, disgusting behaviors the rulers of the ancient world indulged in Chances are most of these were rumors made up by political enemies or gossiping plebs. But hey, just because they may not be true doesn't mean they're aren't still entertainingly perverse. The Emperor Claudius married his brother's daughter Agrippina his brother being long dead, thank goodness. No judgments on anal sex here, but putting professional anal sex experts on the imperial payroll is a bit much.
Nero was so into being as depraved as possible β he supposedly defiled every single part of his body β that he had to think up some pretty original ways to keep it fresh. Say what you want about Caligula, but he was really, really good at incest.
His other sisters, he was somewhat less fond of, and thus he only often prostituted them. So he wasn't just a sister-fucker, but a sister-pimp. Here's an idea you've probably never had to make those long road trips more enjoyable: Set up stops full of prostitutes along your way! And when you do, thank Nero. In terms of sexual depravity, Nero even put Caligula to shame by going to the source so to speak and having sex with his own mother Agrippina. How did people know? It should probably go without saying that eventually Nero tried to murder his mother by putting her on break-apart boat, right?
Caligula was fond of spending money, but not so good at making it. After depleting the coffers at one point, he had the bright idea to turn the palace into an impromptu whorehouse. Then he sent his pages about the fora and basilicas, to invite young men and old to enjoy themselves, lending money on interest to those who came and having clerks openly take down their names, as contributors to Caesar's revenues.
