Besides having a bewildering-place-in-time moment this morning when I realized the source of "July" (Julius Caesar) and "August" (Augustus Caesar), I also noted that most excellent passage on Julius.
Whether or not this description is true (or the general ethics of Caesars overall legacy) is not the issue - what I find fascinating is the wisdom of this perspective, as opposed to - say - WPE.
Suetonius, contrasting the leadership conduct of Julius Caesar against his political opponent Pompey:
Nobody can deny that during the Civil War, and after, he behaved with wonderful restraint and clemency. Whereas Pompey declared that all who were not actively with the government were against it and would be treated as public enemies, Caesar announced that all who were not actively against him were with him.It seems a subtle distinction, but the effect is unification, not fear and a splintered society.
(The Twelve Ceasars, p. 35)
Update 9/8: The irony of this post - placing GWB at odds with Caesar (and in line with Pompey) is that Julius Caesar is often considered the mark of the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire. He assumed an extraordinary number of unheard of (in a republic) powers, was awarded the honor of "dictator for life," and was assassinated out of fear that he was becoming too king-like and endangering the freedoms and the character of roman civilization.
Also interesting, it is noted, that the rise of a dictatorship is not always evident to the people involved. Wikipedia, on such a shift from the former republic:
This is a distinction chiefly made by modern historians and not by the Romans of the time, however. The early Julio-Claudian emperors maintained that the res publica still existed under the protection of their extraordinary powers and would eventually return to its republican form.Uh-huh. The Patriot Act is just temporary.
You do have a strong case, however I encourage you to divert your attention away from Julius and focus more toward the life of Domitian. Here is a man who is very manipulative with his authority. Study his life and the people around him. Before I take you any further I encourage you to read Revelation 4:1-11 & 5:1... this is simple a letter from John, who is about to die, encouraging the church to not loose hope. When upon studying Domitian's life I think you'll find it very interesting of how parallel he is described to another being. Just when Domitian thinks he is about to crush the church John sends these letters telling them that ultimatly Domitian is not in control. I don't know if you're a believer but this interesting none the less. -God Bless You-
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