Quotes About Leadership

For himself he wanted a high command, an army and a war in some field where his gifts could shine in all their brightness.

in February of 44 B.C. he had himself declared dictator for life.

This was Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica ("big nose"). A senior politician who had held all the great offices of state and was now pontifex maximus, or high priest, he had a high opinion of himself: at a noisy public meeting, he once said, "Be quiet, please, citizens. I know more about the public interest than you do.

The first was Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, a year younger than Gaius.

The dictator was due to quit Rome on March 18 to join his legions in Greece.

His first task was to prevent Brutus and Cassius from taking over Greece

SHOWDOWN 32–31 B.C.

Hirtius rode into Antony's camp and was struck down and killed fighting around the commander's tent.

of both Hirtius and Pansa—had placed Octavian in an extraordinarily powerful position.

Octavian decided that they should be put to death.

The tribune in command of Agrippa's guard told a centurion to see to the matter.

he now controlled eight legions, loyal to him rather than the Republic.

Octavian merely replied: "That's a matter for the carrion birds to decide.

the established legions would refuse to fight under the command of one of Julius Caesar's assassins.

Caesar was handing Octavius a priceless weapon: his name and his clientela

They greeted him enthusiastically as Caesar's son.

He would accept the legacy, avenge his "father"'s death, and succeed to Caesar's power.

government by three men did not promise stability.

KILLING FIELDS 43–42 B.C.

It was divided into ten cohorts, which were in turn subdivided into six centuries commanded by centurions;

He needed many new ships, but had neither money nor time to build them.

Now he decided to assume tribunicia potestas in perpetuity:

he would enjoy the power of a tribune without actually having to hold the post.

Caesar's heir was now ready to pounce. Both consulships were vacant