Greg Burleson
Great Leaders: Ruling from the Shadows
To this point in the Great Leaders column, no individual has been highlighted as a particular standout as the greatest leader of all-time. Each candidate has had flaws ranging from blind ambition to being fictional. This exploration in leadership will connect the concepts of many of the previous issues, while centering on a character who manages to have none of these faults, while quite incredibly having all of these faults. The man of whom I speak is of unquestioned brilliance and is among the most emulated people of all-time. Through his pure and unrivaled skill as a world leader, this man ruled Rome as an emperor while Rome was still a republic.
The obvious question is how an individual could rule a republic as an emperor? The answer is quite complicated. Mark Anthony, Marcus Lepidus, and the hero of this examination in leadership, Octavian Caesar (Julius Caesar’s adopted son), all dominated the second triumvirate.
My favorite among the amazing things Octavian was able to do, revolves around Lepidus. When Octavian went to wage war on Lepidus, he did not do so with a great army. Instead, Octavian merely walked by himself, into Lepidus’ camp and quite boldly announced that Lepidus’ soldiers now served him, Octavian. While this seems ridiculous to us and to Lepidus, Octavian only reminded everyone in camp he was the son of the deified Julius Caesar. In other words, Octavian was the unquestioned son of God.
In progress to defeating the other members of the second triumvirate, Octavian murdered a lot of people. In fact, Octavian murdered far more people than Roman society was prepared to deal with. So what is a person to do at this point? The answer appears to be to change your name and create a new persona. The best part is, I am not joking.
Octavian changed his name to Augustus and completely changed his behavior. While he did cease to murder all who opposed him, Augustus’ most compelling change was one he learned from Caesar’s death. Caesar had declared himself perpetual dictator of Rome; dictator for life. This title clearly did not set well with the elite of Rome; reference the Great Leaders: Absolute Power issue for a relevant example of how a Roman leader was intended to act. Augustus recognized the taboo nature of Roman absolute authority and pretended to be just some guy. Instead of taking a glorifying title, Augustus called himself ‘first citizen’ and became furious and irate when individuals referred to him as more glorifying titles; such as king. To further limit his power, Augustus gave up all official titles in an attempt to keep the Roman Republic, and voting system, alive.
At this point, you may be questioning how much power Augustus actually had as well as my sanity for idealizing him. If you are doing so, Augustus and I thank you because you have fallen for his trap and made my argument valid. While Augustus publically took steps to ensure the survival of the Roman Republic, in actuality, it had long since perished. While it is true Augustus gave up all political offices, the senate had already voted him every power imaginable. The façade he kept of fighting for republic only created a more worshiped and revered figure. To simplify this, Augustus invented a system in which he gained more and more power every time he pretended to give up power and the people loved him for it; brilliant.
Augustus was not only cunning; he was also a very effective leader. He extended the borders of the Roman Republic/ Empire while spreading Roman culture and rebuilding Rome’s infrastructure. Relative peace went through Augustus’ reign; many historians view this as the golden period of Rome and among the heights of civilization of Western Europe. To date this monumental achievement and let you recognize how long ago this great and progressive leader ruled, consider a famous birth during Augustus’ reign: Jesus Christ.
What more can be said of Augustus’ leadership capabilities? It turns out quite a bit as I have left untouched many of his numerous crowning achievements. These further examples, however, are not needed as Augustus’ legacy for this purpose is to remember his devotion to his objective to rule Rome as a popular, effective, and powerful ruler. His methods are popular, nearly every ruler for hundreds of years wanted to be like him, even after the “Fall of Rome.” Next, week we will further consider the “anti-Augustus” portrayal we have already touched base on. If you have questions as to whom we will examine next, check next Friday’s date and beware the Ides’ of March.
The Cave 