Caligula
The emperor Caligula is a wonderful little case study into human pride and power. A Roman emperor suceeding Tiberius, who followed Augustus, Caligula reigned only three years. After a promising start as Emperor, some sort of illness brought him to madness, characterized by his illusion that he was the great god Jove. (In Greek, Jupiter) His insanity was marked by strange events. At one point, he sent forth the Roman legions to the north to literally charge the sea and attack it, as he believed the sea god was against him. Here is a short piece of writing from Caligula’s perspective. I think we can be surprised at how pride can make actions that are obviously insane seem great to us. Self absorption can cause lovely little delusions. In line with what I’ve said lately about mythologies, this one is certainly interesting. (Note, Roman names for Gods are used here. Pluto is Hades, Neptune is Posiden and Apollo is as he always was)
Caligula
How petty are the ways of men. How often they go off to fight other men. No more significant are they than ants, doing battle with other ants. The conflict belongs only to insects, the world is unaffected.
But I have not been a man for some time. A god need not limit his gaze to the conflicts of men. Men may sort out their own affairs. Men are toads. I am wind and air. I am the light of the morning. If the sun rises, it is because I have called it. If it sets, it does so because I have commanded it to bow. Jove has no concern for men. He is their lord. They are not worthy of being called his enemies. They are his tools. And I shall put them to use if a greater enemy than they sees fit to challenge me.
What do you say, Pluto. Is the land of the dead shut today? I shall tear open the gates with my own hands. What of you, Apollo? Is there no music to play? I shall dance all song and joy into being myself. And Neptune – would you, in your wet hole, dare to believe that the sea has no master? I shall tell you when the tides are to come in.
Yes, my enemies are not mere men. But the sea, I shall trash and beat and pierce with my wrath until it knows its master. And if the stars rebel I shall realign them according to my design. And if the trees whither I shall sing them forth into flowering. The world cannot fear Jove’s control. Who can know the ways of a god? Even the sea could not predict the might of my legions of servants.
Fear me, natural world. Fear me, heaven. I am Caesar. I am Jove, himself. And I will not be contested.
