Caligula’s two boats were burned to ashes in 1944 – Photo: ALAMY STOCK
According to Business Insider magazine , the history behind the infamous destruction of the two- ship relic known as the Nemi by Roman Emperor Caligula has been shrouded in mystery for decades.
While many believe the Nazis burned them during World War II, a new document uncovers an American artillery unit responsible for their destruction.
Archaeologists believe that Emperor Caligula – who ruled Rome from 37 AD until his assassination in 41 AD – sank his own ships in a “drunken rage”. “.
According to Atlas Obscura magazine , these giant party boats are about 73 meters long and were built on Lake Nemi in Italy.
In the early 20th century, Emperor Caligula’s boats were recovered from the bottom of the lake and kept in a museum by Italian leader Benito Mussolini. However, the relic ship was destroyed during World War II in a fire.
At the time, many believed that Hitler’s Nazis were responsible for the burned relic ships. But a new book sheds light on their history, revealing that it was an American artillery unit that burned the ships.
“It would have been easier to point the finger at the Nazis and the report is a hasty attempt,” said Stefano Paolucci, an Italian historian and co-author of the forthcoming book The Burning of the Nemi Boats . gold to blame them”.
Two boats were built on Lake Nemi, about 30km south of Rome – Photo: PINTEREST
A report at the time written with the assistance of American and British officials found that the boats were burned by the Nazis in 1944, accusing the Nazis of committing “crimes against human culture.” bright”.
Two researchers believe that American artillery shells hit the museum’s roof during the war , making it possible that shrapnel hit the wooden boats and destroyed them. The researchers say other reports at the time corroborating their theory were ignored at the time.
Researchers also argue that an Italian heritage official who led the investigation into the destruction of the ships was keen to blame the Nazis to curry favor with their allies.
Mr. Flavio Altamura, an archaeologist and co-author of the book, believes that his research team has unraveled the mystery and shown that war is always destructive.
Found the wreck of a famous Nazi warship sunk off the coast of Norway