this post was submitted on 22 Dec 2024
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"Y-you were joking, right?" (lemmy.world)
submitted 14 hours ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 65 points 14 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago) (5 children)

Explanation: In his youth, Caesar was captured by pirates on the Mediterranean sea. This was not uncommon at the time, as the piracy problem in the Mediterranean would not be solved for another decade. Caesar, however, showed his… unusual character throughout his captivity.

First, when he heard how much money they were demanding for him (20 Talents), he told them to ask for more (50 Talents). This is actually not as senseless as it seems - by having a higher ransom paid for his release, Caesar becomes more notable and valuable for the sacrifice made on his behalf (assuming, of course, that the ransom IS paid). 20 Talents of silver is around 620 kg/1370 pounds of silver. 50 Talents, thus, is around 1550 kg/3417 lbs. Quite a sum!

Second, during his captivity he actually befriended the pirates, joking with them, bossing them around as a Roman nobleman might boss around subordinates, demanding they be quiet as he tried to sleep, and composed speeches and poetry which he demanded they listen to (and called them uncultured when they failed to fully appreciate it). The pirates, rather than being upset at this behavior, found it amusing, which speaks, I think, to the odd charisma of Caesar’s character, and the value of being bold.

Third, one of the ‘jokes’ he made with the pirates was that when it was all done and over with, he promised to have them all crucified - the usual punishment for piracy. They found this very amusing, as Caesar was, at the time, just a young man from a wealthy family, not a notable soldier or politician. The thing is, after his ransom was paid and he was released, Caesar raised a force, captured the pirates, and then promptly had them crucified. However, as they had indulged him during his captivity, he had their throats cut first (a very quick and merciful death compared to dying on a cross), so really the crucifixion was just a formality to fulfill his promise.

The story is a very strange mix of brilliance, charisma, and arrogance. It fits Caesar very well, I think.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

I am curious how accurate any of this is and if there are any confirmed sources. Since everyone was murdered except him, he could tell his own tale of the ordeal.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago)

There were a few of his companions who remained with him as captives on the ship. While obviously they would be biased in favor of Caesar, there were at least a few witnesses then.

[2.1] First, when the pirates demanded a ransom of twenty talents, Caesar burst out laughing. They did not know, he said, who it was that they had captured, and he volunteered to pay fifty.

[2.2] Then, when he had sent his followers to the various cities in order to raise the money and was left with one friend and two servants among these Cilicians, about the most bloodthirsty people in the world, he treated them so highhandedly that, whenever he wanted to sleep, he would send to them and tell them to stop talking.

[2.3] For thirty-eight days, with the greatest unconcern, he joined in all their games and exercises, just as if he was their leader instead of their prisoner.

Plutarch

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