Past Present Future
Mary Beard on Caesar, Augustus & Zuckerberg
Oct 12, 2023
Mary Beard, renowned historian and author, discusses the nature of unaccountable power in ancient Rome and today. They explore the governance of the Roman Empire, double standards in Roman society, Mark Zuckerberg's fascination with Augustus, parallels between tech titans and Roman emperors, Caesarism in contemporary democracy, and the absurdity of Roman emperors being deified.
53:09
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Quick takeaways
- Roman emperors had to navigate the delicate balance between presenting themselves as superhuman rulers and relatable human beings, a challenge similar to contemporary democratic politics.
- The rise of Christianity within the Roman Empire introduced a paradox for the emperors, as they had to blend notions of divinity and humility to maintain power and authority, a paradox that persists in modern politics.
Deep dives
The Complexity of Julius Caesar's Role as First Emperor
Julius Caesar occupies a complex role as the first emperor of Rome. While some view him as the dying embers of the Republic, others in the ancient world saw him as the origin of one-man rule. Julius Caesar's actions, such as putting his living head on coins, flooding the Roman world with images of himself, and undertaking signature building projects, mirrored those of emperors who came after him. Although his reign was cut short by his assassination and he did not fully realize his ambitions, some consider him a proto-emperor.
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