Is there anyone here who likes to ride horses?

Caligula and the horse
Caligula and the horse
  • Caligula talks with his horse: “With all these Roman conspirators, you are the only friend sincere to me. That is why I love you”.
  • “From today consider yourself my close friend”.
  • The horse shakes his head, to show his acceptance.
  • Caligula says to his horse, “from today consider yourself a noble and a senator.
  • Tomorrow I will organize a celebration in honor of your new position, my friend.
  • But I have a condition, you should be always honest and sincere. Promise me that you will never criticize me.”
  • The horse never shook his head (meaning he refused).
  • During the senatorial meeting many were surprised when Caligula entered with his horse. Even better, his horse wore a pair of the Emperor’s own clothes. Then came the Emperor’s announcement:
  • From today I declare my horse to be a senator. He will vote, and have full rights as all of you. Next came a dinner in the horse’s honor. The horse at the center of the long table of guests with his own plate packed high with hay. 
  • Caligula told the senators,
  • “Listen! It is an honor to eat my horse’s same food. All of you, you should eat it all.
  • Now, we feast!”

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