We didn't have much in terms of history lessons in school - and, anyway, all I cared about was arts and music (and biology, for some odd reason).
 
But recently, as other interests called for it I started digging into history books and/or documentaries, and I watched and read a couple of things about Rome.
 
One character in a long line of odd balls that got my attention was an "eccentric" (a euphemism, even for a Roman empreror) young emperor by the name of Elagabalus (203-222 CE).
 
He was reputed for his limitless cruelty - but that's not uncommon among emperors and kings in those days. What's a bit more out of the ordinary, is that, allegedly, young Elagabalus:
 
Had the hairs plucked from his body in order to appear more female.
Showed up in public wearing make-up and women's clothing.
Is said to have offered half his empire to any physician who could equip him with female genitalia. 
He is credited with saying: "I am delighted to be called the mistress, the wife, the Queen of Hierocles".
He referred to his charriot driver as his "husband".
 
Though he did have wives and mistresses, too.
 
It is also said that he walked around backwards carrying a pet rock, praying to the sun.
 
Fortunately for him, FOX News and the rest of those guys weren't around in those days. Can you imagine what they would have had to invent to make him look worst? :P
 
I'm pretty sure nowadays he'd be one of the main guys on a certain reality TV show. (I refuse to even type the name, but it sounds strangely similar to everyone's favorite species on Star Trek.)
 

 
 
Anyway, I know that, like me, many of you guys feel depressed when you look at the world around us. So next time you worry about our youth's role models or our political leaders, remember Elagabalus.
 
We're getting closer to that level but not quite there just yet. :P

Don't like Fox news Rain?

For the benefit or everyone and as a safeguard, so that any potential discussion doesn't get dragged into the mud: FOX News and the rest of those guys. 

I mentioned FOX because that's one of the ones I see most often and I'm not familiar w/ news stations in the US. I guess I could have added CNN. That's the two that come to mind.
 
Anyone feel free to add their own.
 
As for I, my preference and like or dislike for specific new stations is irrelevant in this context and besides the point as it would only bring forth inevitable political issues and arguments and that is against the TOS. 
 
So if any FOX or CNN or Channel 4 news or whatever news station of whatever allegiance was offended - all apologies.  
 
I do trust that the majority actually understood it w/o the need for me to get into lengthy explanation, but, there...

I understood it fine rain 

At school we had a choice - either Latin or Roman History.

Looking back it was fascinating, at the time boring.

As with most subjects, if only ............

Cheers,
Jerry

I should point out that the T.O.S. prohibits discussion of politics, and as it does not specify a cutoff date it would seem that poking fun at a politician from the third century is also off-limits. 
 
This rule does not apply to Donald Trump, as he is an entertainer.

Heard a discussion on the radio recently about Caligula, theorising about how his bizarre and depraved acts were politically motivated, both to keep himself in the limelight and to intimidate opponents. Of course he didn't have 'Hello' magazine to help.

bitflipper
I should point out that the T.O.S. prohibits discussion of politics, and as it does not specify a cutoff date it would seem that poking fun at a politician from the third century is also off-limits. 
 
This rule does not apply to Donald Trump, as he is an entertainer.

As those outsiders are always insisting "I'm not a politician!"

Hi,
 
My interest in "Italian" or "Rome" kinda ends after all these:
 
Fellini
Pasolini
Bertolucci
PFM
Banco del Muttuo Soccorso
Le Orme
... and a couple of other bands
 
The rest is ... history ... as they say!
 
I'm still silly enough that I think of the opening of "Intervista" ... as exactly what I think of Rome/Italy ... the same for many other places, of course, but then, what does a kid know? (You gotta see it ... it will be the biggest laugh ... even Bapu will like it! Craig, of course will fall off his stilts and die laughing and throw gas every which way! You know ... all typical farts like we all are!)