The giraffe, that is CAMELOPARD, according to Cassius Dio, came to Rome by Caesar. Dio also explains that it looks quite leopard only its hind legs are shorter than her forelegs (which makes it a little unstable) and its neck is quite long. Aside from these little things, it’s like a leopard, you might even confuse the two. But it could be a panther anyway. After all, it is already a leopard, it can even be a panther.
Iulius Caesar was the first to
bring a giraffe to Europe from Alexandria. This strange, then unknown thing,
remind the Romans of a leopard and a camel for some reason, which is why it was
named CAMELOPARDALIS, or more confidentally CAMELOPARD. Pausanias was reminded
of the Indian camel in a leopard fur coat, while Heliodorus marvels at its
dimensions. In addition to the dotted fur and long neck, the ancient authors
also mention the lovely and friendly nature of the giraffe (this cannot be said
of the unreliable natured felines). Pliny calls it OVIS FERAE (wild sheep) and
Heliodorus mentions that you can drive with a rope around its neck.
Caesar celebrated his return to Rome with
five different triumphant marches. In this endless cavalcade, Cleopatra
appeared, bringing with her the first giraffe as a gift to Caesar. After the dazzling
introduction, the animal took its place in the circus. Yes, nasty things
happened in the circus. Cassius Dio also reported that Caesar held festive
games in memory of the death of his daughter, Iulia (she died in a maternal
fever more than 20 years ago), where an animal accuser entertained the
blood-hungry Roman people, and here I am, please, the gentle and placed giraffe
as a beast sacrificed its blood and life for the greatest satisfaction of the
people. It was not common practice for a newly known animal to be cut up
immediately, as the elephants captured after the occupation of Carthage were
not executed either, but could be admired in the contemporary zoo. Because
every miracle lasts for three days, later also the peaceful elephants could go
to the arena to bleed. The destruction of exotics and specialties was a kind of
fortress demonstration. I will do it, because I can do it. Because all the
treasures of the world are mine. Perhaps the giraffes were saved from regular
battles by their infinite gentleness. According to Pliny, wealth means you have
a treasure that can be destroyed in an instant, so wealth is a kind of good
relationship with the goddess of destiny, since it is a matter of luck. Whoever
is really rich does not care about destroying anything, since you can get
another one from him at any time, there is no irreplaceable thing for the rich
man.
The first giraffe was followed
by many others, for example, one of the giraffes died with a rhino, five
hippos, and two elephants during a Commodus’ party. If all was true, Dio could
see it with his own eyes.
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