The Amazing August

We have read about a lot of "leaders" in the Roman Republic/Empire over the last three weeks, but none have impressed me as Octavian/Augustus has. Especially if you think of the examples of the so called leaders arounds him. Many of them brilliant in their own right, but with few exception of all them greedy for either or wealth. Tiberius being an exception. But Octavian, despite what seems to be a Roman tradition of avenging your family for the wrongs against them, even at a young impressionable age, he was willing to go after what was rightfully his, but violence was not the first thing he turned to. I was amazed that despite all he knew about Antony he would set aside his personal feelings for an amicable resolution. Not always for the sake of peace, he knew the value of biding his time while he gained knowledge, experience, or support, whichever he lacked at that given moment. But he knew when it was time to step forward. How hard it must have been to watch his sister being treated the way she was by Antony, but he waited until the time was right to defend his sister and the Rome he loved. I was also impressed that despite the environment of greed and power and revenge he grew up in, he was able to conquer lands/people, and gain great wealth, without it going to his head. He remained humble. Giving to the people what he needed yet holding back what he needed to secure his position. He didn't squander, yet gave freely. He enhanced without pomp and parade. Brilliant. And yet the article several times referred to Augustus as not particularly brilliant, but instead surrounded himself with brilliant people. I would have to disagree. Just the fact that he understood the value of surrounding himself with brilliant people was in and of itself brilliant. He knew he didn't know it all, couldn't know it all, and couldn't do it all. He did know and understanding the need to preserve the appearance of the Republic to satisfy the people loyal to the old way of life (including himself), while recognizing the need to progress. He completely understood the tragedies of the past leadership and the unjust influence and coercion. He knew he needed to some how protect the leadership against such further tragedies. He just didn't know how. He understood how easily man could be corrupted. But now how ensure against it. His inability to come up with a timely solution eventually, and rather quickly, destroyed the Roman he tried so hard to create and protect.