The figure of Julius Caesar is that of dictator of Rome; despite his power and authority he was still assassinated. With his assassination the rule of Rome fell upon the shoulders of Mark Antony, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and I then known as Octavian. The bonds which bond us were weak and fraught with deceit and struggle for power. It could not last. Only a single ruler could unite the still unstable empire and save it from itself.
Lepidus was driven into exile, and I cornered the adulterous Antony at the Battle of Actium where he and his lover Cleopatra committed suicide. I had learned my lesson on power at this point. I knew that shear will and strength would not lead my empire to success. I needed balance and legitimate power that all citizens would recognize, and not just be the single image of power in my new empire.
The key to giving the illusion of power to the people is to support them, and not oneself. Contradictory? That as the most powerful man in my empire I must submit to the will of the people? Uncle Julius was a figure of absolute power, but look what happened to him. Did he not also want glory for Rome? I am the one military and political leader of any significance in the Empire, and for those who wish power for their own to take a selfish position would lead me to the same fate as my late uncle.
The throne of Rome is completely mine, but what is Rome but its people? Are we or are we not an agrarian society at our deepest root? The farmer is just as capable of rebellion as any solider or discontent. It is for this reason and for the health of the Empire that all must be content with their own significance within its borders. This is my calling to rule wisely and with gravity aware of the mistakes of my predecessors, and set a standard for my successors to rule for the glory of Rome.
No comments:
Post a Comment