Leadership and Caesar #2

"A general is just as good or as bad as the troops under his command make him."
-General Douglas MacArthur

This quote is stating that the subordinate troops of a commander are essentially a reflection of the commander. This directly applies to Caesar, especially because he paid great attention to the minute details of instructing his troops. In being very close to the front lines of battle, Caesar held his soldiers accountable, however this fact also made Caesar more accountable for his military decisions, as he is not some faraway dictator, but rather a soldier, entrenched in battle to nearly the same extent as his troops. Through this leadership style, Caesar dictated that his troops would not make him, but that he would make his troops.

Leadership and Caesar

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
-Emerson

This quote reminded me instantly of the Gallic wars in which Caesar trailblazed his own path through the construction of a bridge across the Rhine River. Caesar wanted to cross the river onto the German side before his enemies could reach him. He uses this preemptive military strategy during several other battles, as detailed in "Caesar: Rome's Most Righteous Warlord" essay. His swiftness of action, fearlessness of critics, and ability to take on the previously thought to be unattainable feats, are reasons why Caesar was a visionary and well-respected leader.

Perception

"Too often we moderns have forgotten Bosworth's warnings and instead continue to glorify Alexander's conquest. Yet to do so is either to neglect or to underappreciate the sheer cost of human lives of Alexander's reign."

-The Butcher of Macedon

Inquiry

"Their insatiable spirit of inquiry drove them to question accepted knowledge and seek further information for themselves. Pythagoras, the philosopher-mathematician, encouraged his pupils to investigate the causes and reasons of nature, thus beginning a tradition of medical inquiry."

-Greece and Rome

Inquiry and questioning were fundamental values of both Greek and Roman society, however these values seem to have eroded in our society. For the most part, people simply accept their surroundings. Surely, they wonder why or how things came to be, but this amazement is only temporary, as modern responsibilities soon take precedent. For these ancient cultures, or at least their most well-known and intelligent members, this was not the case.

The Myth of the Cave

"In the cave behind them is a bright fire. Unknown to them there is a rampart as high as a man between the fire and them; and on the other side of this rampart are people perpetually passing to and fro carrying things on their heads."

-Plato's Republic (The Myth of the Cave)

Genocide

"Alexander's inaugural Theban holocaust puts his murder in league with ethnic obliterations of our own era-Adolf's Hitler wartime retaliatory annihilation of occupied communities, Hafez Assad's erasure of wayward Syrian villages or Saddam Hussein's gassing and butchery of Iraqi Kurds."

-Butcher of Macedon

The writer, Victor Davis Hanson, makes quite the claim when stating that Alexander the Great was in the same league of murderers as Sadaam Hussein and Hitler. Through his utter destruction of Thebes, Alexander sent a message to other city-states that he would take no prisoners. It also showed his pure ruthlessness and lack of respect for anyone or anything except for his army. It is evident that Alexander played by his own rules, blood-thirsty and willing to do anything to secure power.

Power

"What is wisdom? Or what fairer gift from the gods in men's eyes than to hold the hand of power over the head of one's enemies? And 'what is fair is always followed."

-The Bacchae

This quote is referring to the pursuit of power. It is stating that "holding the hald of power over the head of one's enemies" is the greatest feeling and the means to this end are the ones that are always followed. Also, up until this point, the chorus had been stating that observance of the Gods was the greatest cause, however the message is now changed in order to benefit them personally.

Work

"For the gods keep the means of life concealed from humans. Otherwise you would easily be able to work in just one day as to have enough for a whole year without even working."

-Hesiod (Loeb Classical Library Leader; Works and Days)

Work is overrated. This is an obvious statement; you might think "True, I'm lazy, I hate work". I very much agree. Our society, however, does not agree with this. Work, not family, not happiness, not love, nor any other unquantifiable, yet fundamentally more rewarding quality, has become the foundation of western society. Students spend hours working on assignments and studying for exams not to learn or to expand their minds, but to prepare themselves for university and eventually a career, in hopes of earning as much money as they can dream of. This is not to say that the Greeks envisioned this type of society, but they did value work over and above everything else. This quote, to me, says that if the gods are concealing the means of life and work is something that isn't concealed, then work is not to means of life. What the means are though, I am not sure.

Rhetoric

"When a clever man has an honest case to make, it is no great task for him to speak well. You posess a fluent tongue, as if you were a man of sense, but your words lack all judgement. The good speaker whose influence rests on self-assurance proves to be a bad citizen; for he lacks intelligence."

-Teiresias (The Bacchae; page 134, line 267)

In this quote, Teiresias is commenting on Pentheus' rhetoric. Teiresias admits that Pentheus speaks with confidence, his message, however, is transparent, his words are meaningless. As a wise man, Teiresias can tell when a man has substance to support his superior rhetoric and when he is just blowing smoke.

Rhetoric is an extremely powerful persuasive tool. President Obama, for example, was a popular candidate during the election less because of any extraordinary political ideas, but more because of his excellent speaking ability. Even if Obama didn't have any plans to back up his speeches, he wowed the American public into electing him president.

The Slaughter

"Laughing rowdily, men prepared their noonday meal, succulent, rich-they'd butchered quite a herd. But as for supper, what could be less enticing than what a goddess and a powerful man would spread before them soon? A groaning feast-for they'd been first to plot their vicious crimes."

-The Odyssey (Book 20; Line 434)

Working the 9 to 5

"For the gods keep the means of life concealed from humans. Otherwise you would easily be able to work in just one day so as to have enough for a whole year even without working."

-Hesiod (Loeb Classical Library Reader; Works and Days; Page 14)

Emotion

"The master's anger rose inside his chest, torn in thought, debating, head and heart- should he up and rush them, kill them one and all or let them rut with their lovers one last time? The heart inside him growled low with rage..."

-The Odyssey; Book 20, Line 10

Pure emotion-anger and hatred-has filled Odysseus' soul. As we learned in Hamlet, it takes a lot for a normal human being to kill another. Odysseus has clearly killed before, but it was out of necessity and a defense of his city rather than an extremely personal scorn for another man. Although Odysseus had affairs with other women during his time away from Ithaca, he appeared to always want to eventually return to Penelope. Once he realized what the suitors had been up to-pestering his wife, taking his food, and performing pure savagery in his own house-Odysseus was insulted. He was so insulted that he reached the point of murder. Odysseus has to defend his honour and his wife's honour not only because of the ramifications if he doesn't, the suitors continuing to bother the family and his reputation, but also because emotion is the truest gauge of a man's character, a character that he must stay true to.

Philosophy

"In the sixth century B.C., a new way of thought arose in parts of the Greek world-the beginning of what the Greeks later called philosophy, which means "love of wisdom."

-The Ancient Mediterranean World; Page 72

Philosophy's birthplace coincided with democracy, modern literature, citizenship, and other matters of utmost importance during the sixth century B.C. in Greece. Philosophy is an important thing to study because it looks at the bigger picture; why things are how they are and if in fact things actually are how they appear. Philosophy opens people up to the possibility that their reality may not be quite what they thought it was. The problem with philosophy has always been, and looks as if it will continue to be, that it is a subject that leaves many questions unanswered. It often moves in endless circles that give one no reasonable assurance or proof about a certain matter. Nevertheless, it is important to question what has been taught, for without questioning there will never be any intellectual progress.

Neighbourly Love

"For a man to take something from his neighbour and to profit by his neighbour's loss is more contrary to nature than is death or poverty or pain or anything else that can affect either our person or our property."

-Cicero (Loeb Classical Library Reader; "Duty to one's neighbour"; pg. 133)


The value of neighbours and community was quite prevalent in Ancient Greece. Parents taught their children to respect, defend, and support their neighbours in order to receive the same treatment in return. This was because of a sense of community in Greek culture; a result of the explosion of city states. In modern day society we generally don't care about community; with the exception of small towns or villages. This lack of togetherness or community pride is the result of the ongoing fight for individual rights. Every person wants the choice to live their life unbounded by an obligation to the state or any organization for that matter. It is commendable that we have reached the point where this right is a reality, unfortunately community was lost along the way.

Loyalty

"No, I am not a god," the long-enduring, great Odysseus returned. Why confuse me with one who never dies? No, I am your father- the Odysseys you wept for all your days, you bore a world of pain, the cruel abuse of men."

-Odysseus (The Odyssey; Book 16, Page 344, Line 209)

With Odysseus now revealing his true identity to his son, he is now closer than ever to completing his homecoming. When he returns home to his wife, slaughters the suitors, and is recognized by the Ithacans, he will receive glory (kleos) and complete his journey as a hero. The theme of delayed identification in the Odyssey has rightfully been discussed as a lesson that the Greeks wanted to teach: boasting and arrogance will only bring harm and conflict to a man. The Odyssey, and more specifically the theme of delayed identification, also shows a contemporary reader just how much deception and treachery occured in Ancient Greece. The suitors, for instance, had no problem with raiding Odysseus'-a local hero-home as soon as they believed him to be gone. Mutiny also took place earlier in the story when Odysseus' shipmates thought he was stealing from them. When Odysseus returns to Ithaca, he must first test the loyalty of the swineherd Eumaeus. The extraordinary part occurs when Odysseus does not even reveal his true identity to his son until he is sure of Telemachus' intentions.

To Feast...

"The tables, heaped with bread and meats, and drawing wine from a mixing-bowl the steward makes his rounds and keeps the winecups flowing. This, to my mind is the best that life can offer."
-Odysseus (The Odyssey, page 211)

This quote shows that Odysseus enjoys the simple pleasures of life, such as eating and drinking in excess, much like the common man does. Perhaps there is a message that Homer is trying to convey; that conversing with friends and family over food is one of the greatest, if not the greatest joy in life. It certainly shows the importance of hospitality and food, for without hospitality there is no community and without food there is no sustenance. These are the most important aspects of ancient Greek culture-along with work and suffering- so when both fuse together a celebration of sorts commences. There is also a message that relaxation, pleasure, and enjoyment can only take place after hardship has befallen a man. The fruits of one's labour become exponentially sweeter after one returns from a fulfilling day of toil and labour.

Self Interest Vs. Common Good

"Not even the man who betrays his fatherland is more to be condemned than the man who deserts the common good for the sake of his personal good or security."

-Cicero (Classics in Translation; Volume II, Page168)



This type of statement-more so an emphasis on responsibility to others and the common good, than the state or country- is fairly prevalent in our society. It is expected that one put the needs of others before those of themselves. The problem is that this is unnatural for humans. We have been taught, forced, to look out for ourselves since the beginning of time. Darwinism is founded upon "survival of the fittest"; those who are best equipped to succeed will. Thus, it is not natural for us to sacrifice ourselves for the good of others; it takes courage to do so. I think most would agree that they would put the needs of their loved ones ahead of their own, if it was necessary. If an emergency situation came, I am certain many parents would put themselves in harm's way in front of their children. In everyday situations, many people follow their own agenda instead of adapting to those close to them, much less a random person. It is admirable, yet rare, when people such as firefighters truly sacrifice themselves for the good of strangers.

Like Father, Like Son

"Few sons are equals of their fathers; most fall short, all too few surpass them. But you, brave and adept from this day on-Odysseus' cunning has hardly given out in you-there's every hope that you will reach your goal."
-Athena (The Odyssey; page 102, lines 309-313)

Athena spoke this to Telemachus to give him the confidence he needs to take down his mother's suitors and avenge his father's pride. Athena needs the suitors to be eliminated by the time Odysseus returns home so that he doesn't have to deal with them. Although Odysseus would most likely return home in a quiet manner-he is much more level-headed and modest than Agamemnon, who was killed by his wife's new lover-it would still be beneficial to have his house cleared. Telemachus, much like his father, relies on his cunning rather than violence and destruction to defeat his enemies. Athena can tell Telemachus has what it takes to defeat the suitors and become a man because of this cunning and the immediate hospitality-a trait of Zeus and one of the most important things in Greek culture- he shows her.

Will Our Civilization Succeed?

"In a sense, civilization as a way of life is still in the experimental phase. We do not know whether it will be as succesful in the long run as the hunting and gathering existence that sustained our ancestors for most of human history."
-The Ancient Mediterranean World (Page 3)

This quote is odd because it seems as if our civilization and way of life-more so Eastern than Western-has been around for a while. There are buildings in Asia and Europe that are thousands of years old; artwork and literature that have sustained the test of time. Just think, however, about the millions of years that came before now. From dinosaurs to the ice age to cavemen, we are in the midst of a natural progression of societal changes. In the relative future, it appears as if this civilization will sustain itself. Civilizations that looked insurmountable have failed-the Romans and Mayans come to mind-but those are certain ethnic groups, not a universal way of life.

To Live and Die

"Machiavelli, according to the popular view, although this is disputed at least in part by most Machiavelli scholars, held that people were by nature untrustworthy, malevolent and self-serving, and thus those in power could only maintain their position through exploitative and deceitful actions"
-Wikipedia

Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian philosopher, diplomat, writer, and civil servant among other things. He was brought to fame in part because of his short literary piece, Il Principe (The Prince), which described the strategy of gaining political power. His views, as stated by the quote, are that people are naturally self-serving and duplicitous. His belief is that one is responsible for their own destiny and must achieve it by any means necessary, no matter the consequences-unintended or otherwise-that befall others. This view is generally perceived as selfish and wrong in our society; so much so that Machiavellianism has become one of the negative three personality traits known as "The Dark Triad" along with narcissism and psychopathy. His views are most likely a result of his experience in politics. He clearly experienced treachery and lying; therefore leading him to this conclusion. It may not have been what he wanted, it was more likely what he felt was necessary. This is a somber view, however I do not think Machiavelli should be judged for it. It was the world that he lived in and the way he chose to act.

Machiavelli was studied most famously-in pop culture at least-by rapper Tupac Shakur while he was in prison. Tupac could relate to Machiavelli because of the deceit he had experienced and the solidarity of prison life. He released The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory under the alias "Makaveli". This was his darkest album; expressing raw emotion and anger, the traits he perceived of Machiavelli.

There is also an urban myth that Machiavelli faked his own death. This, along with the image of Tupac being crucified and the album being recorded just weeks before his murder, is a major factor in the ongoing debate as to whether or not Tupac did the same.