Jan 18th, 2011
A story in The Guardian today reveals that the tomb of the infamous Roman emperor Caligula has been discovered. What jumped out at me was this passage:
"After reportedly sleeping with his sisters, killing for pleasure and seeking to appoint his horse a consul during his rule from AD37 to 41, Caligula was described by contemporaries as insane."
... it was reported.
Am I the only one who finds the dry style of print journalism to be hilarious when married to ancient history?
That is classic British humor--the extreme understatement. It sets up a disconnect between subject and telling....Also funny in a more American style is Drunk History--on you tube you can see inebriated academics reciting history lectures or anecdotes. A big fave with my history professor friends.
ReplyDeleteI just discovered Drunk History through a friend this past weekend. Delightful.
ReplyDeleteWe've elected a horse's south end five times in a row to the U.S. Senate here in Kentucky. Does that count?
ReplyDeleteClue: He's the current minority leader, aka, Doctor No.