He had his likeness minted on a coin (reserved for divine beings). The Roman people in Caesar’s era, despite his immense popularity, still possessed a strong republican spirit.Ĭaesar ac-cumulated unprecedented powers and privileges while testing the tempers of society. Rome had experimented with monarchy years before, ending with the murder of its last king, Tarquin. Julius Caesar’s fatal flaw was his desire to be recognized as a monarch. Leadership, a key to succession, requires the optimal use of an individual’s unique skill set, regardless of the predecessor’s talents.Ģ. Yet Augustus accomplished their return through diplomacy, an essential skill he possessed. The return of the standards was paramount and worthy of battle. For example, the standards of Roman legions, considered sacred, were lost many years earlier when the army under Marcus Crassus was defeated by Parthia in the Battle of Carrhae. He relied on the best military minds he could find, primarily that of Marcus Agrippa (most famously in the battle of Actium against Mark Antony in 31 b.c.).Īugustus relied upon his strength of conciliation rather than Caesar’s strength of confrontation. Although Caesar, just prior to his death, appointed Augustus to senior military command for the planned but never executed expedition against the empire Parthia, Augustus never led troops in campaign or commanded a battle.Īlthough he never tested his abilities on the battlefield, Augustus knew his predecessor’s strength did not transfer to him. Similarly, Augustus lacked the military genius of Julius Caesar, arguably the greatest military leader in history. Few children of entrepreneurs possess the same characteristics that enabled their predecessor to succeed. Stick to your strengths, not those of your predecessor. He was later known as Augustus, often translated as “that which the gods brought,” or “sacred/revered.” (For simplicity, he will be called “Augustus” henceforth in this article.) The lessons illustrated by his ascension to power, longevity of rule and ability to convey imperial control provide valuable guidance for the family business owners of today and tomorrow.ġ. However, Octavian not only succeeded and surpassed them and the legacy of Julius Caesar in power but also established an empire that lasted for hundreds of years. And yet its first emperor, Augustus, was an unlikely successor to that of his great uncle, Julius Caesar.īorn Gaius Octavius and commonly known as Octavian, the 18-year-old inherited Caesar’s wealth and name but possessed little else in competing with the Roman Senate and Mark Antony for control of the Republic. From the standpoint of continuity and longevity, the Roman Empire was perhaps history’s most successful. Empires, like many family businesses, may fail, flounder or prosper, yet most seek to pass ownership to succeeding generations.
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