August
The month is named for Caesar Augustus who was first emperor of Rome, a consummate politician, a courageous and great general, an epileptic, a tyrant and the author of my second year Latin text. Not a go-along-to-get-along type guy. Still down through the ages we have used the definition of word “august” to mean imperial, regal, majestic and important. It gives you a feeling of someone detached, above it all.
Actually, the guy was very hands on. When it came to military campaigns he was sort of sword drawn and blood up to his elbows. Just ask the Gauls. Though Augustus was suitable blood thirsty for his time he was smart and subtle. He was also willing to take the ultimate risk . He was willing to trade his life and the lives of his supporters to achieve his goals.
Though he was a member of the highest class of Romans, Partisans, he rose based on his deeds. He didn’t seem to be one to feel an obligation to his own based on class. He did promote capable Plebeians and even slaves when it served his purpose. Actually, it was his use of the lower classes to support him in power that got him killed. It was members of the traditional upper class, Patrician, who murdered him in person. It was important to them to do the bloody work themselves. You could not beat the Romans for participatory government.
I’m sure if he were alive today he would be in the class of Rupert Murdoch or Jack Welch. He doesn’t strike me as a Bill Gates type. Think of it Neutron Augustus to the extreme. Then again, the ethics in the time of Augustus were different than those of today.
So, if we think of August in a purely historical sense think of someone who would use any means that he thought he could get away with to accomplish his ends. He appeared to be a man who was only afraid of failure.
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2 opinions for August
Being August - b5media Business Channel Theme Day
Aug 3, 2007 at 9:12 am
[…] Business Boomers is host to Jim Norton’s look at the leadership style of Caesar Augustus: “…someone who would use any means that he thought he could get away with to accomplish […]
Business Channel Theme Day: Being “August”
Aug 3, 2007 at 6:07 pm
[…] Jim Norton at Small Business Boomers: "August" […]
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