What I learned from Julius Cesar

DISCLAIMER – I am not a Historian and do not pretend to be. Some of the forth coming may be a bit inaccurate. The essence of the story is more important that historical accuracy for this essay. That said…

A few weeks ago my family and I spent a few days in Italy. We visited Rome, Florence, Pisa and Venice. All amazing cities with great history, culture, architecture and people. While in Rome we visited the old foundations of the Roman city which is right next to the Coliseum. Our tour guide did a wonderful job of pointing out old land marks and sharing fascinating stories. Among the landmarks, we visited Julius Cesar's tomb. As we looked at the ancient slab of rock where his body was burned, our guide began to weave her tail.

Cesar had been an incredible Roman solder who grew through the ranks of the Roman army until becoming the country's top General. With his leadership and cunning military mind the Roman army concurred much of Europe. With each battle won, Cesar's name and legend grew. So proud was he of his achievements that after each victory he would send word to the Roman city and days later march with his entire legion though the streets boasting all of his bounty. Over time he made his entrances grander and grander. Making sure that all would see him in all of his glory. He began to hoard power and was willing to show all just how powerful he was by showing off his prowess.

He reached his peak after having concurred Britten, ending the Gallic wars. At this point his political foes in the Senate ordered Cesar to step down as General and return home. To which Cesar responded with an attack on Rome, leading to Civil war. It was no surprise that he and his legion won. Cesar took this moment to proclaim himself "dictator in perpetuity". During the coming years he hoarded all political power and made it clear to all that he was the one and only authority in the Roman Empire.

In 44 BC, just a few years after having taken full control , Cesar was assassinated on the senate floor by Marcus Junius, whom some say was one of Cesar's most trusted counsel and friend. The group who colluded and helped plan the assignation did this because Cesar had accumulated and centralized so much power that they feared for the future of their nation under one man's will. His dictatorial centralization of power led to his ultimate demise.

Enter Cesar's adoptive heir, Octavian whom later was known as Augustus.

Augustus learned well from his adoptive father and assumed a very different leadership style. During his reign Augustus decided to decentralize power among members of the senate. He gave each of the senators power over different parts of the government. One would be in charge of public works, another in charge of treasury, and so on. Augustus only kept to himself the power of veto, which gave him the authority to disapprove any choice made by any of the senators at any moment in time. He publicly made it evident that he had no power over anything but promoted the fact that others where in charge, while very selectively evoking his veto power only in private.  

He reigned as Rome’s first emperor from 27 BC till 14 AD and died of old age.

How we chose to lead has a fundamental impact on those we work with and to ourselves. We can choose to be the center of all choices and power like Julius Cesar. Or decentralize, make others accountable and influence them with counsel while still reserving the right to veto any choice when needed. This takes a bit of maturity and confidence but, history has shown me that the later works best for everyone in the end.