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vicky's avatar

"the ‘Minotaur’ great offence—that is, Calvisius and Taurus" the footnote says the origin of the Minotaur reference is a mystery but it feels to me like a joke about their names. Bald + bull working together to make a 'monster'; what is a half hairless(/human), half bull monster if not the Minotaur? At least, if my quick Google about the meaning of 'Calvisius' hasn't led me astray.

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Tate's avatar

oh that's a really interesting suggestion! the Taurus / minoTaurus bit seems clear, but i hadn't made the calvisius -> hairless -> human connection. although i do wonder if there's something else in it as well, because while the calvisius+taurus combination is monstrous to cicero, calvisius as just bald/human when taken on his own... i feel like cicero could and would be meaner

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vicky's avatar

Pff, he definitely doesn't shy away from it elsewhere, that's true.

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max's avatar

"That outstanding boy raised a force to defend himself and me, and then to defend the entire Republic." i'm retching

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Tate's avatar

nooo im sure octavian is just a little guy...... he can be raised praised and erased. right. right???

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