Julius Caesar: How to influence an empire
Nudge
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Caesar Used Costly Signalling to Boost His Presence
The meaning and significance we attach to something is felt in direct proportion to the expense with which it is communicated. This is why a hand-drawn picture carries more meaning than a printed photo. It's why, when asking someone out on a date, in-person requests work much better than messaging that same person on Tinder. But Caesar isn't normal - he knows the power of costly signalling. He knows that by placing a higher ransom on his head, he'll only increase his perceived worth and grow his influence. As a young military leader, Caesar would spend extraordinary amounts of money hosting public parties, parades, and festivals with extravagant feasts. Why? Because he knew these expensive parties would
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