A Feast with Caligula
Geon
Donor
A Certain Feast
The Caligula of OTL was supposed to have taken a Senator's wife to bed during a feast he was giving. Here in this TL there is a much different outcome. Also, please note, that if I am off on certain aspects of Roman society than please feel free to correct me. I fully admit that ancient Roman dinner etiquette and entertainment is not a major area I am conversant in.
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Several days after the Ethics were read in the Senate Caligula gave a feast and invited several Senators and their wives. He also invited Clement and two of the elders in the Roman church and several of the poorest in Rome were also invited. When the poor arrived they were each given fresh new garments and bathed and then each was brought in and seated around the table with the Emperor.
When the Senators arrived with their wives they were plainly astonished to see the poor of Rome seated at the banquet with the Emperor. But for fear of insulting their host they said nothing. The banquet began and soon it was clear that all were enjoying the fine food and the wines that were provided. But Caligula and Clement and the elders of the church did not eat or drink to excess, while many of the poor and the Senators did. Caligula thought to admonish them but Clement said to him quietly, “Let be, for they are not believers and it is not your place to judge those outside the church.”And Caligula reluctantly agreed.
When the time came for the evening’s entertainment all were thrilled by the acrobats, especially Caligula who was fond of such displays, and the dancers. Nevertheless the Senators were amazed that the dancers and acrobats were so modestly clothed for often they would perform in the nude for the entertainment of those who dined. For Caligula had decreed before the feast that the acrobats and dancers should not be dressed in an immodest way.
Then a singer came before the Emperor and began to sing of Jupiter and one of the dalliances he had with a mortal woman. The Emperor became upset and bade the singer cease his ballad.He then rose and said, “Noble Senators, if you would hear something truly beautiful then hear this. He then reached behind his throne and produced two scrolls which he started to read from. Both were from the Hebrew Scriptures translated into the Greek language[1]one was the scroll of the Psalms and the other was the Song of Songs, otherwise known as the Song of Solomon. And Caligula read several passages from the Psalms and the Song and his guests were pleased.
After Caligula had finished a reading from the Song of Songs he turned to one of the Senators whose wife was particularly beautiful and said, “How fortunate a man you are my good Senator to have such a lovely wife! She is indeed as fair and beautiful as the bride the poet depicts in the Song. May she always bring you joy!” And saying this he proposed a toast to the Senator and his wife. The Senator was quite amazed at this honor and proclaimed that indeed his wife gave him great joy. Whereupon the Emperor bestowed a gift upon the couple and enjoined them to continue to be faithful to one another, “For infidelity today seems to abound more and more,” observed Caligula, “And it is good that such as you Senator set a good example.”
The evening ended and all left very happy, and before they left each of the poor of Rome was given an extra set of clothing three gold coins and a loaf of fine bread and fruit.
The next day in the Senate many of the Senators inquired of those who had been at the feast with the Emperor what had happened. And one of the Senators – the one who had been complimented about his wife exclaimed, “The gods themselves could not have enjoyed themselves more last night!” And many in the Senate were astounded.
Likewise among the poor in Rome many rejoiced at the good fortune of their fellows and praised the Emperor. And many among the poor sought out the Christians of Rome to learn more of the faith.
[1] i.e. the Septuagint
The Caligula of OTL was supposed to have taken a Senator's wife to bed during a feast he was giving. Here in this TL there is a much different outcome. Also, please note, that if I am off on certain aspects of Roman society than please feel free to correct me. I fully admit that ancient Roman dinner etiquette and entertainment is not a major area I am conversant in.
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When the Senators arrived with their wives they were plainly astonished to see the poor of Rome seated at the banquet with the Emperor. But for fear of insulting their host they said nothing. The banquet began and soon it was clear that all were enjoying the fine food and the wines that were provided. But Caligula and Clement and the elders of the church did not eat or drink to excess, while many of the poor and the Senators did. Caligula thought to admonish them but Clement said to him quietly, “Let be, for they are not believers and it is not your place to judge those outside the church.”And Caligula reluctantly agreed.
When the time came for the evening’s entertainment all were thrilled by the acrobats, especially Caligula who was fond of such displays, and the dancers. Nevertheless the Senators were amazed that the dancers and acrobats were so modestly clothed for often they would perform in the nude for the entertainment of those who dined. For Caligula had decreed before the feast that the acrobats and dancers should not be dressed in an immodest way.
Then a singer came before the Emperor and began to sing of Jupiter and one of the dalliances he had with a mortal woman. The Emperor became upset and bade the singer cease his ballad.He then rose and said, “Noble Senators, if you would hear something truly beautiful then hear this. He then reached behind his throne and produced two scrolls which he started to read from. Both were from the Hebrew Scriptures translated into the Greek language[1]one was the scroll of the Psalms and the other was the Song of Songs, otherwise known as the Song of Solomon. And Caligula read several passages from the Psalms and the Song and his guests were pleased.
After Caligula had finished a reading from the Song of Songs he turned to one of the Senators whose wife was particularly beautiful and said, “How fortunate a man you are my good Senator to have such a lovely wife! She is indeed as fair and beautiful as the bride the poet depicts in the Song. May she always bring you joy!” And saying this he proposed a toast to the Senator and his wife. The Senator was quite amazed at this honor and proclaimed that indeed his wife gave him great joy. Whereupon the Emperor bestowed a gift upon the couple and enjoined them to continue to be faithful to one another, “For infidelity today seems to abound more and more,” observed Caligula, “And it is good that such as you Senator set a good example.”
The evening ended and all left very happy, and before they left each of the poor of Rome was given an extra set of clothing three gold coins and a loaf of fine bread and fruit.
The next day in the Senate many of the Senators inquired of those who had been at the feast with the Emperor what had happened. And one of the Senators – the one who had been complimented about his wife exclaimed, “The gods themselves could not have enjoyed themselves more last night!” And many in the Senate were astounded.
Likewise among the poor in Rome many rejoiced at the good fortune of their fellows and praised the Emperor. And many among the poor sought out the Christians of Rome to learn more of the faith.
[1] i.e. the Septuagint