Churchill said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Trump has demonstrated often that he does not have an accurate knowledge of world or American history and all the associated lessons learned from the past. Not only has he failed to learn from the past I believe his current state of mind and actions remind me of Caligula. Mark Twain famously said that history does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme – and it sure seems like it is rhyming big time now.
Caligula (Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus) was the third Roman Emperor between 37 and 41 AD. One of the reasons he is so famous is because of his tyrannical, cruel, and extravagant behavior. When he first became emperor, he was initially welcomed by the public. However, once in the position of power, he took a dark turn and he became known for paranoia, arbitrary executions, extravagant spending and demanding to be worshiped as a living god. (Does any of this sound familiar?)
Caligula had a major conflict with the Roman Senate and, at one point, was mocking them and allegedly planned to make his horse, Incitatus, a consul. Trump has certainly mocked the Senate but at least he doesn’t have a horse! He seems to have lots of horses’ asses around him but not a complete horse!
Caligula planned to invade Britain but met an untimely end before that could take place under his term, although Claudius did lead a successful invasion later. Trump, our own modern-day Caligula, invaded Venezuela and captured its leader, Nicholas Maduro. He is threatening invasions and takeovers of Cuba and Greenland. He is threatening to violate the sovereignty of Mexico and mount air strikes and who knows what else within the borders of that country. The man is becoming Caligula on steroids.
Lavish games were staged by Caligula in which gladiators fought to the death. Trump is planning UFC mixed martial arts bouts on the White House grounds in June for his birthday (and ostensibly to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of America). These matches will not be fought to the death, but I have no doubt that if Trump thought he could get away with it, that’s exactly what he would do.
Caligula was stopped when the Praetorian Guard had had enough and assassinated him. The US Senate had the opportunity to stop Trump twice through impeachment and failed both times. And thus far in his second term, they have failed to do anything to try to curb Trump’s madness, tyranny, and recklessness. Perhaps Caligula was right and we should elect horses to the Senate. They certainly couldn’t be less effective at stopping this modern-day madman.
Caligula lived 2,000 years ago. Civilization certainly hasn’t progressed very far. As they say, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely! I guess that adage has stood the test of time since we seem to have our own modern-day Caligula!
