A simple way to differentiate good leaders from bad leaders


In this post we try to figure out how to differentiate good leaders from bad leaders on examples of two Roman Emperors: Marcus Aurelius (121 AD– 180 AD) and Gaius Caesar Germanicus (known as Caligula, 37 AD – 41 AD)

Marcus

“Known for his wisdom, judiciousness, and foresight, Marcus was deeply mourned by the Romans at his passing. They had lost a great leader, a man of remarkable self-discipline and commitment to fairness, a moderate and steady hand guiding the ship of state with firm clarity and righteousness.

Marcus had placed wise counselors and administrators in key positions of power and influence. He had always been willing to listen to the people around him, using their input to help him make better and measurable decisions.” See [1], p. 68.

“As Roman emperors go, Marcus was exceptionally good. For one thing, he exercised great restrain in his use of power. No emperor, we are told, showed more respect to the Senate than Marcus did. He took care not to waste public money. And although he didn’t need to ask the Senate for permission to spend money, he routinely did so, and in one speech reminded them that the imperial palace in which he lived was not his but theirs. To finance wars, he auctioned off imperial possessions, including statues, paintings, gold vases, and some of his wife’s jewelry and clothing rather than raise taxes. Citizens told jokes at his expense and were not punished for doing so.” See [2], p. 57-58.

“He spent most of his time, not in the Imperial Palace in Rome, but in military camps on the borders of the Empire, leading and directing his troops at first hand.” See [4], p. 54.

“The emperor was careful not to mount a witch-hunt, aware perhaps of Cassius’s mistaken motives and the involvement of Faustina. He nonetheless took measures to avoid any future attempt at revolt.” See [3], p.118.

Caligula

“It doesn’t matter why he threatened to make his horse a consul. He threatened to do it. It doesn’t matter why he marched an army to the sea to make them collect seashells; he did it. It doesn’t matter why he turned the palace into a brothel. Hi did that, too. The debate over the psychological underpinning of his actions risks missing the bigger picture: Caligula killed, raped, stole, debased, and bankrupted.” See [1], p. 166.

“According to Suetonius, in the first year of Caligula's reign he squandered 2.7 billion  sesterces that Tiberius had amassed” See [6].

“Caligula’s profligacy was draining the Roman treasury faster than he could replenish it through taxes and extortion.” See [7].

If we compare the Emperors we find criteria to differentiate good leaders from bad leaders (see [1-7]).

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References:

[1] Evil Roman emperors, Philip Barlag, Prometheus Books, 2021

[2] A guide to the good life, William B. Irvine, Oxford University Press, 2009

[3] Chronicles of the Roman emperors, Chris Scare, Thames and Hudson Ltd., London, 1995

[4] Marcus Aurelius: The Dialogues, Alan Stedall, Shepheard-Walwyn Ltd., 2005

[5] Marcus Aurelius: A Guide for the Perplexed, William O. Stephens, 2012

[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligula

[7] https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/caligula

 

 

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I_g_o_r

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