[lbo-talk] Re: Ripped off again

Richard Harris rhh1 at clara.co.uk
Sun Oct 9 01:27:10 PDT 2005



> Caligula's appointing his horse is a historical cliche, often
> trotted
> out on the occasion of certain kinds of appts -- like Bush and
> Miers.

But also historically inaccurate. As Cassius Dio says in book 69: "he would have carried out".

There is never an ancient claim that Caligula named his hourse a consul or a senator.

"One of the horses, which he named Incitatus, he used to invite to dinner, where he would offer him golden barley and drink his health in wine from golden goblets; he swore by the animal's life and fortune and even promised to appoint him consul, a promise that he would certainly have carried out if he had lived longer."

Suetonius adds: "To prevent Incitatus, his favourite horse, from growing restive he always picketed the neighbour-hood with troops on the day before the races, ordering them to enforce absolute silence. Incitatus owned a marble stable, an ivory stall, and a jewelled collar; also a house, furniture, and slaves - to provide suitable entertainment for guests whom Caligula invited in its name. It is said that he even planned to award Incitatus a consulship."

A good trap for the rip-off merchants to fall into!

Richard.



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