Strange obsessions of royals throughout history
Caligula
The Roman emperor Caligula is notorious for his strange sexual appetites, particularly after the 1979 film 'Caligula' starring Malcolm McDowell. However, his greatest obsession was his horse, Incitatus.
Ludwig II of Bavaria
King Ludwig II of Bavaria was known as "Mad King Ludwig." He became king when he was a teenager and was devoted to the arts, particularly music and architecture.
Friedrich Wilhelm I
Friedrich Wilhelm I spent much of his reign expanding the Prussian army and creating a personal regiment of his own unique soldiers. Based on historical accounts, it seems like he was trying to build a team of giants.
Vlad the Impaler
In the case of Vlad III, his nickname kind of gives it away. Vlad the Impaler was a notoriously violent leader, showing his enemies no mercy.
Emperor Qin Shi Huang
Qin Shi Huang is considered to be the first emperor of China. Despite his obvious success, he was consumed by a quest to achieve ever-lasting life.
Princess Alexandra of Bavaria
Princess Alexandra of Bavaria had a highly obsessive personality. She was fixated on cleanliness and would only wear white. She also suffered from a bizarre delusion that was common among nobility from the 15th to 17th centuries, called the "glass delusion."
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte's complexities are well recorded. Well, one of his stranger obsessions was liquorice.
Nero
The Roman emperor Nero was known for his tyrannical reign, and it's rumored that he started the Great Fire of Rome. It's also rumored that he had a fondness for killing, and murdered his mother, one of his wives, and his step-brother.
Peter III of Russia
Peter III was one of the less impressive and shorter ruling czars of Russia. He is the subject of the recent Hulu series 'The Great,' where he is shown to be frivolous and childish.
Louis XIV
Louis XIV ruled France for 72 years. Like many nobleman during this period, he believed enemas contributed to good health and longevity, and used them often.
Ivan the Terrible
Ivan IV was one of the cruelest czars of Russia. He was known for his extreme paranoia and reign of terror.
Fyodor I of Russia
Fyodor I was the son of Ivan the Terrible, but he had very different hobbies to his father. He was devoutly religious and spent much of his time in churches.
His favorite activity was ringing the church bells to call in the parishioners. He became known as "Fyodor the Bellringer."
Ibrahim I
Ibrahim I was an Ottoman sultan who earned the name "Ibrahim the Mad." He is remembered for his extensive harem of concubines and strange sexual appetites.
Joanna of Castile
Queen Joanna I of Castile would be remembered in history as "Juana the Mad." She was married to King Philip, who is said to have been frequently unfaithful to her. This drove her into fits of rage and despair.
