THE GRAPE SECCO WITH A TOUCH OF ANTIQUITY

As a senator, Cato was an opponent of wars – although as a consul he was successful in suppressing insurgent tribes in Hispania and in his final years a staunch supporter of the destruction of Carthage. The statement: “Posca est esculentus, et ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam” may, however, be questioned. As Cato already knew: a lot can happen between the edge of the lip and that of the cup.

Too bad that the latter was created instead of the request of the First Citizen of the State (Princeps Civitates) Augustus to immortalize his deeds in an epic. A century after Cato, the Romans no longer seemed to be so concerned with morality, which was reflected in the birth rate and did not please the First Citizen at all. Laws that upheld marriage, made adultery less good, and made witnessing of legitimate children a patriotic duty were passed so that unmarried patricians were taxed more heavily. The frivolous life of an Ovid probably didn’t really fit into the moral picture. The reasons for Ovid’s banishment in 8 CE, however, remain a mystery – according to self-testimony, a “poem and a mistake”. The official reason, the Ars Armatoria, may have been the poem – but what was the mistake? With the fact that Julia, Augustus’ daughter, and also her daughter had a “close relationship” with Ovid and were also banned, we don’t want to stir up any rumors. As Ovid himself already knew: “Those who live quietly and unnoticed have lived well.”

Ending the high treason trials, tax cuts, bread and games made him a everyone’s favorite. Until he “fell seriously ill” – since poisoning was quite common, we do not spread any rumors here – and continue to report about the monster. Co-heir, father-in-law and Praetorian prefect were politely asked to commit suicide and the throne was secured. Not particularly noticeable behavior at this time. The high treason trials, especially against senators, were reinstated, only a little more cruelly. Insanity or violence as a calculus for intimidation? Apparently, he got along so well with the Senate that he even threatened to appoint his horse Incitatus a Senator. The announcement to move the headquarters of the empire to Alexandria was probably more serious. After only four years of reign, Caligula found death at the hands of the Praetorian Guard: “If only the people of Rome had only one neck!”