This article lists
people who were documented to have
mental illness or "madness". Such allegations are not necessarily conclusive, since the documenters might have written from political biases or rumor.
Romans
Tiberius (42 BC–37 AD, ruled 14–37 AD). While Tiberius was in his later years in
Capri, rumours abounded as to what exactly he was doing there. Historian
Suetonius records the rumours of lurid tales of sexual perversity, including graphic depictions of child molestation, cruelty, and especially paranoia. While heavily sensationalised, Suetonius' stories at least paint a picture of how Tiberius was perceived by the Roman senatorial class, and what his impact on the Principate was during his 23 years of rule.
Gaius
Caligula (12–41 AD, ruled 37–41). Contemporary author
Philo of Alexandria recorded that he fell ill soon after becoming emperor, and his subsequent reign was marked by shocking extremes of paranoia, cruelty and megalomania.
Seneca the Younger, who once fell foul of Caligula, confirmed his erratic behavior in passing. His successor
Claudius neither condemned nor defended his memory, and later historians continued to describe his madness.
Justin II (c. 520–578, ruled 15 November 565–574).
John of Ephesus, who suffered theological persecution under Justin, wrote that his "mind was agitated and darkened" such that he behaved at times like a wild animal. On the advice of his wife
Sophia and the
Senate, he adopted the general
Tiberius II Constantine as his son and delegated state authority to him.
Europeans
Charles VI of France (1368–1422; ruled 1380–1422), known as Charles le Fou ("Charles the Mad"), suffered from bouts of psychosis, including
glass delusion.
Henry VI of England (1421–1471; ruled 1422–1461 and 1470–1471) A breakdown in 1453 caused him to neglect state affairs for more than a year. A Lord Protector was appointed on that and two subsequent occasions to govern the kingdom. The ensuing succession struggles gave rise to the
Wars of the Roses.
Eric XIV of Sweden (1533–1577; ruled 1560–1568). Developed
paranoia and irrational, violent streaks later in his life leading to an erratic rule and the brutal murders of several real or perceived political rivals in the
Sture Murders. Eric himself stabbed
Nils Svantesson Sture to death.
Queen
Maria I of Portugal (1734–1816; ruled 1777–1816), known as Maria, a Louca ("Mary the Mad") Around 1790 Maria's long-expressed anxieties developed into religiously-themed delusions. Her ministers determined that she was insane and appointed her son
João to govern the kingdom.
Christian VII of Denmark (1749–1808; ruled 1767–1808).Although never completely incapacitated, Christian displayed severe emotional and moral instability, and members of his court and personal staff struggled to build a functioning government around him.
Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845–1886; ruled 1864–1886) irritated his ministers with his uncontrolled spending on magnificent castles. With no end in sight, they arranged for a panel of psychiatrists to declare him insane and installed his uncle as regent. Although the ministers were motivated by political concerns, medical explanations have been offered that include
frontotemporal dementia,
schizotypal personality disorder and
Pick's disease.
Otto of Bavaria (1848–1916; ruled 1886–1913) suffered from depression, anxiety and insomnia throughout his life. In 1886, the senior royal medical officer wrote a statement declaring that Otto was severely mentally ill.
Middle Easterners
Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 634 BC – c. 562 BC, ruled c. 605 BC – c. 562 BC) is described in the Bible as displaying symptoms consistent with
boanthropy.
Talal of Jordan (1909–1972, ruled 1951–1952) abdicated the throne after being unsuccessfully treated for schizophrenia.
East Asians
Emperor Taishō (大正天皇, Taishō-tennō, 31 August 1879 – 25 December 1926) of Japan, suffered from a variety of neurological disorders, which though at least partially physical in origin incorporated psychological elements as well. Discussion or criticism of an emperor, including that of health issues, remains a controversial subject in Japan for cultural, political, and religious reasons and is referred to as the
Chrysanthemum taboo.
This article lists
people who were documented to have
mental illness or "madness". Such allegations are not necessarily conclusive, since the documenters might have written from political biases or rumor.
Romans
Tiberius (42 BC–37 AD, ruled 14–37 AD). While Tiberius was in his later years in
Capri, rumours abounded as to what exactly he was doing there. Historian
Suetonius records the rumours of lurid tales of sexual perversity, including graphic depictions of child molestation, cruelty, and especially paranoia. While heavily sensationalised, Suetonius' stories at least paint a picture of how Tiberius was perceived by the Roman senatorial class, and what his impact on the Principate was during his 23 years of rule.
Gaius
Caligula (12–41 AD, ruled 37–41). Contemporary author
Philo of Alexandria recorded that he fell ill soon after becoming emperor, and his subsequent reign was marked by shocking extremes of paranoia, cruelty and megalomania.
Seneca the Younger, who once fell foul of Caligula, confirmed his erratic behavior in passing. His successor
Claudius neither condemned nor defended his memory, and later historians continued to describe his madness.
Justin II (c. 520–578, ruled 15 November 565–574).
John of Ephesus, who suffered theological persecution under Justin, wrote that his "mind was agitated and darkened" such that he behaved at times like a wild animal. On the advice of his wife
Sophia and the
Senate, he adopted the general
Tiberius II Constantine as his son and delegated state authority to him.
Europeans
Charles VI of France (1368–1422; ruled 1380–1422), known as Charles le Fou ("Charles the Mad"), suffered from bouts of psychosis, including
glass delusion.
Henry VI of England (1421–1471; ruled 1422–1461 and 1470–1471) A breakdown in 1453 caused him to neglect state affairs for more than a year. A Lord Protector was appointed on that and two subsequent occasions to govern the kingdom. The ensuing succession struggles gave rise to the
Wars of the Roses.
Eric XIV of Sweden (1533–1577; ruled 1560–1568). Developed
paranoia and irrational, violent streaks later in his life leading to an erratic rule and the brutal murders of several real or perceived political rivals in the
Sture Murders. Eric himself stabbed
Nils Svantesson Sture to death.
Queen
Maria I of Portugal (1734–1816; ruled 1777–1816), known as Maria, a Louca ("Mary the Mad") Around 1790 Maria's long-expressed anxieties developed into religiously-themed delusions. Her ministers determined that she was insane and appointed her son
João to govern the kingdom.
Christian VII of Denmark (1749–1808; ruled 1767–1808).Although never completely incapacitated, Christian displayed severe emotional and moral instability, and members of his court and personal staff struggled to build a functioning government around him.
Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845–1886; ruled 1864–1886) irritated his ministers with his uncontrolled spending on magnificent castles. With no end in sight, they arranged for a panel of psychiatrists to declare him insane and installed his uncle as regent. Although the ministers were motivated by political concerns, medical explanations have been offered that include
frontotemporal dementia,
schizotypal personality disorder and
Pick's disease.
Otto of Bavaria (1848–1916; ruled 1886–1913) suffered from depression, anxiety and insomnia throughout his life. In 1886, the senior royal medical officer wrote a statement declaring that Otto was severely mentally ill.
Middle Easterners
Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 634 BC – c. 562 BC, ruled c. 605 BC – c. 562 BC) is described in the Bible as displaying symptoms consistent with
boanthropy.
Talal of Jordan (1909–1972, ruled 1951–1952) abdicated the throne after being unsuccessfully treated for schizophrenia.
East Asians
Emperor Taishō (大正天皇, Taishō-tennō, 31 August 1879 – 25 December 1926) of Japan, suffered from a variety of neurological disorders, which though at least partially physical in origin incorporated psychological elements as well. Discussion or criticism of an emperor, including that of health issues, remains a controversial subject in Japan for cultural, political, and religious reasons and is referred to as the
Chrysanthemum taboo.