To many people, the word Caesar might seem to refer to one or two specific men who reigned over the Roman Empire—with Julius Caesar being the most famous of all. But in fact, there were many other Caesars, spanning more than 300 years, from Augustus to Constantine, who shaped the empire and its fortune—including its demise.
Barry Strauss, senior fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution and professor of history emeritus at Cornell University, examines this rich period in the ancient world, and reveals some surprising aspects of life in the empire. For example, to survive as a center of imperial power, Romans were willing to do whatever it took: They were conquerors, but they also welcomed new immigrants, looked beyond the elite ruling class to lure up-and-coming talent from poorer regions, and included women in the power structure of the ruling families.
The Romans, says Strauss, offer many lessons—whether positive ones in leadership, or cautionary ones on ego and drive—that we can learn from today.
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