Posted on 06/27/2024 1:05:45 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Experts have found a rare bronze bust depicting one of the most colourful characters in Roman history – the mad, sexually-depraved Emperor Caligula.
Considered lost for nearly 200 years, the 5-inch-tall bust was originally excavated at Herculaneum, a Roman town destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79...
After a determined decade-long search, the bust has been found by Dr Silvia Davoli, curator of Strawberry Hill and historian at the University of Oxford...
At some point in the 18th century, the bust was gifted to renowned English writer and politician Horace Walpole (1717-1797) by Sir Horace Mann, a distant relative who was the British envoy to Italy.
Both he and Walpole marvelled at the expressiveness on its face that according to them represented the Emperor 'at the beginning of his madness'.
Like many of his treasures, Walpole kept it at Strawberry Hill House, his Gothic Revival villa built in Twickenham from 1749...
But in 1842, the Bronze Head of Caligula was sold in the 'Great Sale' when most of his collection disappeared into private hands – and had since been unaccounted for...
Although excavated from Herculaneum, the experts can't be entirely sure whether it was cast during Roman times or much more recently.
The smoothness of the bronze surface may indicate it a Renaissance sculpture that somehow got entangled with the Herculaneum excavation in the 17th century...
He is quoted as having the catchphrase: 'Remember that I have the right to do anything to anybody.'
...In AD 41, Caligula was stabbed to death, along with his wife and daughter, by officers of the Praetorian Guard led by Cassius Chaerea.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
- Cassius Chaerea – Roman soldier with high voice | 21 March 2021 | Imperium Romanum
It's nice to have the electricity back on.
Rumor has it, Biden wanted to propose Americans drop the bald eagle as one of our symbols and substitute it with a statue of Caligula. Dr. Jill had to explain to Joe there’s a difference between the terms Liberty and Libertine.
“Oh” he then replied.
Looks a lot like Hillary.
I’m a bit confused on the relationship between him and one of the few good emperors of that time; Claudius, of “I Claudius” fame. As the story goes Claudius had a limp and a stutter and was considered crazy by the Royal Court which probably saved his life on several occasions in the bloodthirsty intrigues to gain control of the throne. Especially from his bloodthirsty Grandmother. After Caligula was assassinated the Praetorian guard put Claudius on the throne thinking him a fool and easily controlled. Instead he went on to save the Roman Empire as some say was predicted by an Oracle.
The great 1970s BBC series said Claudius was Caligula’s older uncle but online sources say they were brothers.
The series is now digitally mastered and excellent in both historical, acting and entertainment purposes. Here is a link and if you never saw it I highly advise it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_oQrpQfrPs&list=PLT-k0lP5b7WUa19N3G9qXkHXcWzHri201
PS
A little treat is several now old (or dead) actors made their first big appearances in the series like Patrick Stewart.
Very cool site, thank you!
openart.ai, create for me statue that is a creepy blend of Hillary Clinton and Lindsay Graham. Smug.
Caligula was the son of Claudius’ brother Germanicus. “Caligula” means “little boots” which is the nickname Germanicus’ troops gave to the young boy.
“Looks a lot like Hillary.”
Probably is. The bust in the article is of a much higher quality person.
Looks like a fag.
He was bi, plus any other weird place he could get off in, by all accounts - whatever that label might be. Killing people was a turn on, as was watching them die.
A very unrealistic and flattering representation of Hillary Clinton
I have read that wine was sealed with cork and then a lead overlay ...lots of really disturbed people in history are said to have suffered from lead poisoning
I wonder if that’s true
He resembles Bobby Flay. Wonder if he can make crispy rice with Calabrian chilis...
“I Claudius”. Stagy, but One of the best BBC shows ever! Got it on DVD.
His brother was Biggus Diccus
The look of contempt!
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