J. Buchan once said, “The role of a great leader is not to give greatness to human beings, but to help them extract the greatness they already have inside them.” Incredible leaders do not merely bring good fortune and prosperity to their people, they guide their people to reach their full potential. Without prodigious leaders, society would erupt into chaos and ultimately collapse. An example of an excellent leader is Octavius Caesar, the first emperor of Rome whose resiliency, brilliance, and philanthropy contributed to the endless support given to him by his citizens. In “Julius Caesar” and throughout his reign, Octavius Caesar proved himself to be an incredibly beneficial ruler by single-handedly improving Roman society while transforming
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Octavius Caesar was destined for greatness from the very beginning of his life. Octavius’s family lived in Velitrae, located southeast of Rome. His father was the first in his family to become a Roman senator and was later elected to the office of praetorship, which was ranked second in political hierarchy to consulship (“Augustus”). Because his father was a high-ranking government official, Octavius was greatly exposed to government affairs. Also, another politically influential relative, Julius Caesar, the great-uncle of Octavius and dictator of Rome at the time, “...launched the young Octavius in [to] Roman public life” (“Augustus”). Having had two family members who were deeply involved in Roman politics, Octavius was more than prepared to lead Rome in the future. This later influenced Octavius’s decisions and actions during his rise to power. When he was 12 years old, he gave a funeral speech for Julia Caesar, his grandmother. He then got accepted onto the …show more content…
Not only does Octavius Caesar display determination, loyalty, and courage, he also shows a considerable amount of civility to his enemies. Mark Antony, “...chief lieutenant of Julius…[who] assumed he would be ruler once Julius was dead,” attempts to control Octavius’s decisions once Octavius begins to assume command of Rome’s military (“Augustus”). However, Octavius does not succumb to peer pressure imposed on him by Mark Antony. This demonstrates that Octavius was not easily swayed. Octavius exhibits fidelity to Julius Caesar when he says “Be well aveng’d; or till another Caesar Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors” to Cassius, one of Julius Caesar’s assassins (Shakespeare, Durband 192). In other words, Octavius is saying he will never surrender to Cassius’s army until he has vindicated his great-uncle’s death. On page 192 in “Julius Caesar,” Octavius says, “If you dare fight today, come to the field; If not, when you have stomachs” (Shakespeare, Durband). Octavius self-assuringly declares that he is not frightened by the opposing army and stands up to them. Taken aback by this surge of confidence, Marcus Brutus, another participant in Julius’s murder, and Cassius leave the battlefield with their gathered troops. Most importantly, Octavius models decorum by granting Brutus “...all
Octavius Caesar was destined for greatness from the very beginning of his life. Octavius’s family lived in Velitrae, located southeast of Rome. His father was the first in his family to become a Roman senator and was later elected to the office of praetorship, which was ranked second in political hierarchy to consulship (“Augustus”). Because his father was a high-ranking government official, Octavius was greatly exposed to government affairs. Also, another politically influential relative, Julius Caesar, the great-uncle of Octavius and dictator of Rome at the time, “...launched the young Octavius in [to] Roman public life” (“Augustus”). Having had two family members who were deeply involved in Roman politics, Octavius was more than prepared to lead Rome in the future. This later influenced Octavius’s decisions and actions during his rise to power. When he was 12 years old, he gave a funeral speech for Julia Caesar, his grandmother. He then got accepted onto the …show more content…
Not only does Octavius Caesar display determination, loyalty, and courage, he also shows a considerable amount of civility to his enemies. Mark Antony, “...chief lieutenant of Julius…[who] assumed he would be ruler once Julius was dead,” attempts to control Octavius’s decisions once Octavius begins to assume command of Rome’s military (“Augustus”). However, Octavius does not succumb to peer pressure imposed on him by Mark Antony. This demonstrates that Octavius was not easily swayed. Octavius exhibits fidelity to Julius Caesar when he says “Be well aveng’d; or till another Caesar Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors” to Cassius, one of Julius Caesar’s assassins (Shakespeare, Durband 192). In other words, Octavius is saying he will never surrender to Cassius’s army until he has vindicated his great-uncle’s death. On page 192 in “Julius Caesar,” Octavius says, “If you dare fight today, come to the field; If not, when you have stomachs” (Shakespeare, Durband). Octavius self-assuringly declares that he is not frightened by the opposing army and stands up to them. Taken aback by this surge of confidence, Marcus Brutus, another participant in Julius’s murder, and Cassius leave the battlefield with their gathered troops. Most importantly, Octavius models decorum by granting Brutus “...all