Least sociopathic Domitian moment
Edit: I was wrong about Julius Ceasar’s position on the democratic republic, as stated in the post below. Aparrently it’s not even him.
However, I remain critical of the means used in the OP because such tactics are only rational for those without alternatives. A person in his position of power need not threaten murder. Even if they do, they need not do so overtly. It’s certainly spectacle with message of “might makes right”.
Such is an example of why the Senators murdered Julius Caesar to restore the democracy.
To restore the oligarchy, you mean.
Caesar was part of the Populares. The Optimates, the conservative opponents of the Populares, had repeatedly murdered democratic politicians and stripped the Republic’s democratic institutions of their power over the past 70 or so years.
I was wrong. I edited my post to say so.
The OP is in reference to Domitian, an Emperor who reigned some 130 years after Caesar. Caesar himself was known for his clemency towards his enemies, including those who had taken up arms against him.
Domitian, on the other hand, is widely recognized as a tyrant who, in addition to (admittedly a little funny) threats like the one in the OP, demanded to be referred to as ‘Lord and God’ and was eventually assassinated after pissing off everyone in his social circle.
Would have bet on Kaligula ngl!
I want to compare present day VP candidate to a horse concubine. But, there’s too many good choices to decide which is the best joke.
