In the first century B.C., Roman provisions (food) from places like Egypt were being intercepted by thousands of pirates, causing Rome to face potential famine.
At age 25, Julius Caesar, son of a Roman Senator, was captured by the pirates, who offered him back to Rome for a ransom of 20 talents.
While in captivity Caesar disrespected the pirates. He protested the ransom amount, saying that the ransom was too small for a great man such as he. He bullied and threatened the pirates, bragging that one day he would crucify them all.
Throughout the rest of his life, Caesar walked with a chip on his shoulder. His most notorious saying, "veni, vidi, vici" captured his attitude perfectly. After battles, he often wrote a book about it, with himself as the hero of the tale. Julius Caesar was full of himself. Is this characteristic more helpful or more harmful in a military leader?
DECISION: What is your opinion of Caesar's Swagger? Is it better for a military leader to be self-confident or self-effacing? What is the proper place for bragging among great military leaders?
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