There are moments in history where one person's decision literally changed the world in ways almost unimaginable. I could write tons of blog entries detailing the times in history when this has happened. What made me think about this topic was my lesson for the day last Friday, the Roman Civil War. There were multiple Roman Civil Wars, but the most famous one would change the face of the world forever, the Civil War between Julius Caesar and Pompey. I have been talking about Rome for the past two weeks and Friday we finally got to the fall of the republic. I have always found that time period as one of the best lessons I do with the kids because they really enjoy the discussion. My 2nd period class was very into the lesson and they seemed to really get into it based on our discussion.
My favorite moment from this lesson is when we consider the decision that Julius Caesar had to make; he was ordered back to Rome and was told to give up his army. Caesar had to decide whether to listen to the Roman senate or grab for power on his own, this is where the decision is made. As Caesar leads his men to the border of Gaul (current day France and Belgium where he was stationed) and Italy, he has to decide whether it would be in peace or he would enter to declare war. The crossing would be on the Rubicon River and according to the Roman historian Suetonius, Caesar would say "Even yet we may draw back, but once we cross the bridge, the whole issue is with the sword". As he makes this momentous decision we are left with one of the most famous utterances in world history, "Alea iacta est.....the die is cast". The die is cast.....think about that for a moment, if Caesar truly said that it shows a fantastic self-awareness of his situation. This die is cast for sure, once he took his army across the Rubicon he had lit a fuse of one of the most world changing events in history. I won't bog you down with the detailed of the war, but Caesar wins and names himself dictator for life. This is the death knell of the Roman republic and the ushering in of the empire and dynastic rule.
Which historical decision or "die is cast" moment do you find the most interesting? Would love to see comments.
Thanks,
Matt
My favorite moment from this lesson is when we consider the decision that Julius Caesar had to make; he was ordered back to Rome and was told to give up his army. Caesar had to decide whether to listen to the Roman senate or grab for power on his own, this is where the decision is made. As Caesar leads his men to the border of Gaul (current day France and Belgium where he was stationed) and Italy, he has to decide whether it would be in peace or he would enter to declare war. The crossing would be on the Rubicon River and according to the Roman historian Suetonius, Caesar would say "Even yet we may draw back, but once we cross the bridge, the whole issue is with the sword". As he makes this momentous decision we are left with one of the most famous utterances in world history, "Alea iacta est.....the die is cast". The die is cast.....think about that for a moment, if Caesar truly said that it shows a fantastic self-awareness of his situation. This die is cast for sure, once he took his army across the Rubicon he had lit a fuse of one of the most world changing events in history. I won't bog you down with the detailed of the war, but Caesar wins and names himself dictator for life. This is the death knell of the Roman republic and the ushering in of the empire and dynastic rule.
Which historical decision or "die is cast" moment do you find the most interesting? Would love to see comments.
Thanks,
Matt