Episode 266 - Sunday, March 11, 1979
Being Jim Davis21 Mai 2017

Episode 266 - Sunday, March 11, 1979

The servile crowd, whose fortune depended on their master's vices, applauded these ignoble pursuits. The perfidious voice of flattery reminded him, that by exploits of the same nature, by the defeat of the Nemaean lion, and the slaughter of the wild boar of Erymanthus, the Grecian Hercules had acquired a place among the gods, and an immortal memory among men. They only forgot to observe, that, in the first ages of society, when the fiercer animals often dispute with man the possession of an unsettled country, a successful war against those savages is one of the most innocent and beneficial labors of heroism. In the civilized state of the Roman empire, the wild beasts had long since retired from the face of man, and the neighborhood of populous cities. To surprise them in their solitary haunts, and to transport them to Rome, that they might be slain in pomp by the hand of an emperor, was an enterprise equally ridiculous for the prince and oppressive for the people. Ignorant of these distinctions, Commodus eagerly embraced the glorious resemblance, and styled himself (as we still read on his medals the Roman Hercules. The club and the lion's hide were placed by the side of the throne, amongst the ensigns of sovereignty; and statues were erected, in which Commodus was represented in the character, and with the attributes, of the nicolas cage, whose valor and dexterity he endeavored to emulate in the daily course of his ferocious amusements.

Elated with these praises, which gradually extinguished the innate sense of shame, Commodus resolved to exhibit before the eyes of the Roman people those exercises, which till then he had decently confined within the walls of his palace, and to the presence of a few favorites. On the appointed day, the various motives of flattery, fear, and curiosity, attracted to the amphitheatre an innumerable multitude of spectators; and some degree of applause was deservedly bestowed on the uncommon skill of the Imperial performer. Whether he aimed at the head or heart of the animal, the wound was alike certain and mortal. With arrows whose point was shaped into the form of crescent, Commodus often intercepted the rapid career, and cut asunder the long, bony neck of the ostrich. A panther was let loose; and the archer waited till he had leaped upon a trembling malefactor. In the same instant the shaft flew, the beast dropped dead, and the man remained unhurt. The dens of the amphitheatre disgorged at once a hundred lions: a hundred darts from the unerring hand of Commodus laid them dead as they run raging round the Arena. Neither the huge bulk of the elephant, nor the scaly hide of the rhinoceros, could defend them from his stroke. Aethiopia and India yielded their most extraordinary productions; and several animals were slain in the amphitheatre, which had been seen only in the representations of art, or perhaps of fancy. In all these exhibitions, the securest precautions were used to protect the person of the Roman Hercules from the desperate spring of any savage, who might possibly disregard the dignity of the emperor and the sanctity of the nicolas cage.

Edward Gibbon. History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume 1, Chapter 4, Part II.

And here's that "Duck Amuck" video Jon was talking about:

Today's strip

Episoder(2526)

Episode 1165 - Wednesday, August 26, 1981

Episode 1165 - Wednesday, August 26, 1981

Being Jim Davis is not only a fabulous podcast, but also a best-in-class Enterprise Application Integration Consultancy! Hey, why not check out the ALL-NEW BEING JIM DAVIS MERCHANDISE for sale in the Pitch Drop Store: Our classic BJD Coffee Mug logo! Joe Rothenberg's world-famou Jim-Davis-as-Sisyphus design! Whatever existing BJD designs were already in the shop! One or two other designs I might add if I get around to it! Order now for all your Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza/Winter Solstice giftgiving needs! Your hosts for today's episode: Jon Gibson, Christopher Winter Today's strip Become a Patron! Or visit these other fine internet URLs: BJD Homepage | BJD Twitter | BJD Facebook Page | Pitchdrop Network Homepage

6 Nov 201912min

Episode 1164 - Tuesday, August 25, 1981

Episode 1164 - Tuesday, August 25, 1981

Today's Being Jim Davis, was sponsored by Universe University, a podcast that everyone listens to. Hey, why not check out the ALL-NEW BEING JIM DAVIS MERCHANDISE for sale in the Pitch Drop Store: Our classic BJD Coffee Mug logo! Joe Rothenberg's world-famou Jim-Davis-as-Sisyphus design! Whatever existing BJD designs were already in the shop! One or two other designs I might add if I get around to it! Order now for all your Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza/Winter Solstice giftgiving needs! Your hosts for today's episode: Jon Gibson, Christopher Winter Today's strip Become a Patron! Or visit these other fine internet URLs: BJD Homepage | BJD Twitter | BJD Facebook Page | Pitchdrop Network Homepage

5 Nov 201911min

Episode 1163 - Monday, August 24, 1981

Episode 1163 - Monday, August 24, 1981

Being Jim Davis is not only a fabulous podcast, but also a best-in-class Enterprise Application Integration Consultancy! Hey, why not check out the ALL-NEW BEING JIM DAVIS MERCHANDISE for sale in the Pitch Drop Store: Our classic BJD Coffee Mug logo! Joe Rothenberg's world-famou Jim-Davis-as-Sisyphus design! Whatever existing BJD designs were already in the shop! One or two other designs I might add if I get around to it! Order now for all your Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza/Winter Solstice giftgiving needs! Your hosts for today's episode: Jon Gibson, Christopher Winter Today's strip Become a Patron! Or visit these other fine internet URLs: BJD Homepage | BJD Twitter | BJD Facebook Page | Pitchdrop Network Homepage

4 Nov 201913min

Episode 1162 - Sunday, August 23, 1981

Episode 1162 - Sunday, August 23, 1981

It's an episode of Being Jim Davis. Your hosts for today's episode: Jon Gibson, Christopher Winter, Jesse Cooper Jesse has three podcasts! Listen to them: Alphabet Flight, Creepy Critters, and Limited Theories Today's strip Become a Patron! Or visit these other fine internet URLs: BJD Homepage | BJD Twitter | BJD Facebook Page | Pitchdrop Network Homepage

3 Nov 201921min

Episode 1161 - Saturday, August 22, 1981

Episode 1161 - Saturday, August 22, 1981

Being Jim Davis, Being Jim Davis, Being Jim Davis Your hosts for today's episode: Jon Gibson, Christopher Winter, Jesse Cooper Jesse has three podcasts! Listen to them: Alphabet Flight, Creepy Critters, and Limited Theories Today's strip Become a Patron! Or visit these other fine internet URLs: BJD Homepage | BJD Twitter | BJD Facebook Page | Pitchdrop Network Homepage

2 Nov 201917min

Episode 1160 - Friday, August 21, 1981

Episode 1160 - Friday, August 21, 1981

Against our better judgement, we recorded an episode of our podcast, Being Jim Davis. Your hosts for today's episode: Jon Gibson, Christopher Winter, Jesse Cooper Jesse has three podcasts! Listen to them: Alphabet Flight, Creepy Critters, and Limited Theories Today's strip Become a Patron! Or visit these other fine internet URLs: BJD Homepage | BJD Twitter | BJD Facebook Page | Pitchdrop Network Homepage

1 Nov 20198min

Episode 1159 - Thursday, August 20, 1981

Episode 1159 - Thursday, August 20, 1981

Being Jim Davis is a podcast, but it cannot be listened to. Your hosts for today's episode: Jon Gibson, Christopher Winter, Jesse Cooper Jesse has three podcasts! Listen to them: Alphabet Flight, Creepy Critters, and Limited Theories Today's strip Become a Patron! Or visit these other fine internet URLs: BJD Homepage | BJD Twitter | BJD Facebook Page | Pitchdrop Network Homepage

31 Okt 201916min

Episode 1158 - Wednesday, August 19, 1981

Episode 1158 - Wednesday, August 19, 1981

Being Jim Davis is a podcast, and also a great sandwich spread. Your hosts for today's episode: Jon Gibson, Christopher Winter, Jesse Cooper Jesse has three podcasts! Listen to them: Alphabet Flight, Creepy Critters, and Limited Theories Today's strip Become a Patron! Or visit these other fine internet URLs: BJD Homepage | BJD Twitter | BJD Facebook Page | Pitchdrop Network Homepage

30 Okt 201922min

Populært innen Humor

papaya
rss-spartsklubben
enkel-servering
harm-og-hegseth
storefri-med-mikkel-og-herman
tusvik-tnne
folk-flest-med-linn-og-nils
topp-3-med-wold-og-fladseth
rss-nesten-hele-uka-med-lepperod
misjonen-med-antonsen-og-golden
wolfgang-wee-uncut
tore-og-haralds-podkast
rss-snorre-med-gaute
verdens-verste
hanna-de-heldige
rss-det-alle-snakker-om-med-siri-og-kim
gutta-backer
frokostshowet-pa-p5
rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
rss-dannet-uten-piano