Caligula’s Horse and the Death of Competence

Why You Should Listen

Once upon a time, Caligula put his horse in the Roman Senate. Historians still argue whether it was a joke, an insult, or a sign he’d lost his mind.

But the point was never the horse. The point was proving that power can mock the system and the people will eventually get used to it.

This isn’t just history. It’s a mirror.
 In an era where loyalty is valued over competence, and absurd appointments are sold as “refreshing” or “outsider” choices, Caligula’s stunt feels less like a distant anecdote and more like a preview of the evening news.

This essay uses dark humor, historical lens, and modern parallels to show how the ridiculous becomes the new normal — and why that’s exactly how institutions rot from the inside out. If you’ve ever wondered how democracies slide quietly into self-parody, read on.

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