Mad Kings & Queens: Raving Royals and How To Survive Them (Wednesday, 2nd Period)

[atreideslioness]

When class started today, Ghanima did a quick count to see who was back, and who may have dropped. Once that was accomplished, she gave them all a bright smile.

"Today, we start near the beginning," she said. "Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, more commonly known by his nickname Caligula, was the third emperor of the Roman Empire, and a

Comments

Sign-In #3

[atreideslioness]

In a military fashion!

Re: Sign-In #3

[sarcastic_vamp]

Carmilla Karnstein

Re: Sign-In #3

[shippedtomaine]

Emma Swan

Re: Sign-In #3

[iceolatedqueen]

Elsa of Arendelle

During the Lecture

[atreideslioness]

Take notes, pass notes, whatever it is you crazy kids do...

Re: During the Lecture

[giveherahand]

Pick bits of eel out of your fingernails? That's what Mara was up to.

This island.

Re: During the Lecture

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy was a few minutes late, what with battling eels and all, but she was pulled out her notebook and started taking notes almost as soon as she slid into her chair.

Discussion: Mentally Ill, Physically Ill, or Propoganda?

[atreideslioness]

"All surviving sources, except Pliny the Elder, characterize Caligula as insane," Ghanima said crisply. "However it is not known whether they are speaking figuratively or literally. Additionally, given Caligula's unpopularity among the surviving sources, it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. Recent sources are divided in attempting to ascribe a medical reason for Caligula's behavior, citing as possibilities encephalitis, epilepsy or meningitis. The question of whether or not Caligula was insane remains unanswered

Re: Discussion: Mentally Ill, Physically Ill, or Propoganda?

[not_called_icky]

At least Ichabod was familiar with the story, having read some of the original texts in Latin. "I am inclined to say he was insane. A ruler can be quite cruel and unjust before even coming close to the excesses of Caligula. The other possibility I can see is that he behaved irrationally in order to instill more fear in his subjects."

Re: Discussion: Mentally Ill, Physically Ill, or Propoganda?

[spin_kick_snap]

"I think it might depend on your definition of insanity there," Kathy said softly. "I mean, if you mean that he acted far outside the boundaries of normal, rational behavior, then yes. But if you mean that he must have had some kind of mental of physical imbalance to make him act the way he did...I'm not so sure that's true. I mean, the things he did or the histories say he did are pretty beyond the pale, but that doesn't necessarily prove insanity. Not to Godwin or anything, but one could easily assume that Hitler or Pol Pot were insane from their actions and there's not a shred of proof that either man suffered from any actual delusions or chemical imbalances. They're just...horrible."

Re: Discussion: Mentally Ill, Physically Ill, or Propoganda?

[not_every_mage]

"There's no way of knowing, is there?" Anders asked rhetorically. "Maybe he was mad. Maybe the scribes hated him. Maybe he was a little mad and the scribes exaggerated. I don't think trying to diagnose someone who's shards of bone now does any good."

Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

She's around, before and after class.

OOC

[atreideslioness]

Stepping out for Surprise!Interview, will pick up pings this afternoon.