Caligula (1698 Crowne), play

Caligula (1698) is a play by John Crowne.

Abstract

One of the characters is Philo, the Jewish philosopher, who comes as ambassador from his Alexandrian co-religionists. Philo is introduced to the Roman Emperor as “the Plato of the age.” Philo pleads for the rights of the Jews, whom the Alexandrians have plundered and murdered, but Caligula replies: “I will put all your nation to the sword.” In accordance to historical fact, however, the mad Emperor is assassinated before his dread decree can be put into execution, and Philo bestows his daughter, Salome, in marriage on the Roman youth, Lepidus.

Editions, performances, translations

Premiered at Drury Lane in London, England.