Who Knew? By John Lang

Low information voters are said to be a substantial part of President Donald J. Trump’s admiring base. These voters are generally described as those who pay no real attention to current events outside their own communities and get their information from friends and family, or from just one or two TV sources. Some analysts report many in this bloc don’t actually know which political party has control of the House or Senate.

On the other hand, these fraught times have grown another bloc of what may be called hyper-Information voters, including those who prowl the internet daylong or nightlong to keep up with a constant barrage of new and frequently awful information.

But does the flood of facts, falsehoods, claims, disclaims and so forth make us truly better informed?  Maybe not.

You think you know world leaders?

Here are some facts that are largely undisputed but which may not be fully known by many of even the best informed. Try setting aside any biases and decide which powerful leader is most accurately described below.

So who did this?

1.  Ignored and violated laws of long precedents, trashed state documents and siphoned public funds into his private accounts.

2.   Persecuted rivals and accused them of treason.

3.   Courted approval of lower classes with public spectacles, including races through the streets, and gladiatorial combat.

4.   Enjoyed the fierce support of common voters, while being despised by intellectuals and old-money families.

5.   Built grandiose, costly projects considered hugely wasteful.

6.   Had numerous wives and notorious sexual encounters.

7.   Made public appearances as an actor to bad reviews.

8.   Had difficult relations with his mother and other close relatives.

9.   Became widely regarded as tyrannical, self-indulgent, compulsive and corrupt.

10. His pet project was a “Golden House” that could not be completed.

11. Dispossessed his brother as co-heir as he sought power in the family business.

12. Once in office introduced new currency of dubious value bearing his own stern likeness.

13. Is famous for his focus on water features in the Capital.

14. Overturned established rights of citizenship.

15. Lavished money on the military and attacked Iranians, with bad results.

And the answers are —

1-5     The Emperor Caligula of Rome 31-37 a.d.

6-10   The Emperor Nero of Rome  54-68 a.d.

11-15 The Emperor Caracalla of Rome 198-217 a.d.

And some say history is not relevant.