Gregory Aldrete

So just in the most obvious way, for the next either 500 or 1,500 years, depending how long you think the Roman Empire lasted for, everyone is trying to be Augustus. They all take on the same titles. Every Roman emperor after him is Caesar Augustus, Imperator, Pater Patre, all these titles he has, they take two. And so he's hugely influential for Western civilization and all this.

So just in the most obvious way, for the next either 500 or 1,500 years, depending how long you think the Roman Empire lasted for, everyone is trying to be Augustus. They all take on the same titles. Every Roman emperor after him is Caesar Augustus, Imperator, Pater Patre, all these titles he has, they take two. And so he's hugely influential for Western civilization and all this.

But beyond just that literal thing, which is already 500 years, 1,500 years, he becomes the paradigm of the good ruler. So of an absolute ruler who is nevertheless sort of just does good things, builds public works, is popular. Right. So if we jump ahead, let's say, to the Middle Ages, the most significant ruler of the early Middle Ages is Charlemagne, right?

But beyond just that literal thing, which is already 500 years, 1,500 years, he becomes the paradigm of the good ruler. So of an absolute ruler who is nevertheless sort of just does good things, builds public works, is popular. Right. So if we jump ahead, let's say, to the Middle Ages, the most significant ruler of the early Middle Ages is Charlemagne, right?

But beyond just that literal thing, which is already 500 years, 1,500 years, he becomes the paradigm of the good ruler. So of an absolute ruler who is nevertheless sort of just does good things, builds public works, is popular. Right. So if we jump ahead, let's say, to the Middle Ages, the most significant ruler of the early Middle Ages is Charlemagne, right?

He's the guy who unites most of Europe. He becomes the paradigm for all medieval kings after him. Well, what is the title that the pope gives to Charlemagne? Because there's this famous moment when the pope acknowledges Charlemagne as the preeminent European king. and crowns him on Christmas Day of the year 800.

He's the guy who unites most of Europe. He becomes the paradigm for all medieval kings after him. Well, what is the title that the pope gives to Charlemagne? Because there's this famous moment when the pope acknowledges Charlemagne as the preeminent European king. and crowns him on Christmas Day of the year 800.

He's the guy who unites most of Europe. He becomes the paradigm for all medieval kings after him. Well, what is the title that the pope gives to Charlemagne? Because there's this famous moment when the pope acknowledges Charlemagne as the preeminent European king. and crowns him on Christmas Day of the year 800.

And the title that the Pope gives to Charlemagne is Charles, that's Charlemagne, Augustus, Emperor of the Romans. He's giving him the title of Augustus because that's the nicest thing he can think of to say to Charlemagne is to say, you're the new Augustus, you're emperor of the Romans. Yeah. So that image is hugely powerful. And that persists on and on.

And the title that the Pope gives to Charlemagne is Charles, that's Charlemagne, Augustus, Emperor of the Romans. He's giving him the title of Augustus because that's the nicest thing he can think of to say to Charlemagne is to say, you're the new Augustus, you're emperor of the Romans. Yeah. So that image is hugely powerful. And that persists on and on.

And the title that the Pope gives to Charlemagne is Charles, that's Charlemagne, Augustus, Emperor of the Romans. He's giving him the title of Augustus because that's the nicest thing he can think of to say to Charlemagne is to say, you're the new Augustus, you're emperor of the Romans. Yeah. So that image is hugely powerful. And that persists on and on.

I mean, even the literal names of most rulers afterwards come from this. In Russia, the czars are… Caesars, that's where czar comes from. Prince comes from princeps, first citizen, one of the titles. Emperor comes from imperator, one of the titles of Augustus. When Napoleon becomes emperor, what does he call himself? First consul, which is kind of like princeps. And then he calls himself emperor.

I mean, even the literal names of most rulers afterwards come from this. In Russia, the czars are… Caesars, that's where czar comes from. Prince comes from princeps, first citizen, one of the titles. Emperor comes from imperator, one of the titles of Augustus. When Napoleon becomes emperor, what does he call himself? First consul, which is kind of like princeps. And then he calls himself emperor.

I mean, even the literal names of most rulers afterwards come from this. In Russia, the czars are… Caesars, that's where czar comes from. Prince comes from princeps, first citizen, one of the titles. Emperor comes from imperator, one of the titles of Augustus. When Napoleon becomes emperor, what does he call himself? First consul, which is kind of like princeps. And then he calls himself emperor.

I mean, everybody wants to be this kind of ruler. So he's the paradigm of this for the rest of history. And you can see that is both a positive and a negative legacy. It's kind of like Alexander. I mean, everybody wants to be the next Alexander. Now, nobody does become the next Alexander. Nobody's as successful as him, but a lot of people try.

I mean, everybody wants to be this kind of ruler. So he's the paradigm of this for the rest of history. And you can see that is both a positive and a negative legacy. It's kind of like Alexander. I mean, everybody wants to be the next Alexander. Now, nobody does become the next Alexander. Nobody's as successful as him, but a lot of people try.

I mean, everybody wants to be this kind of ruler. So he's the paradigm of this for the rest of history. And you can see that is both a positive and a negative legacy. It's kind of like Alexander. I mean, everybody wants to be the next Alexander. Now, nobody does become the next Alexander. Nobody's as successful as him, but a lot of people try.

And you can see that either as, oh, inspirational or awful because lots of people killed lots of other people and started lots of wars trying to be the next Alexander. At least Augustus has this notion of good rulership, that you're not just a great powerful person, but you're a good ruler somehow.

And you can see that either as, oh, inspirational or awful because lots of people killed lots of other people and started lots of wars trying to be the next Alexander. At least Augustus has this notion of good rulership, that you're not just a great powerful person, but you're a good ruler somehow.

And you can see that either as, oh, inspirational or awful because lots of people killed lots of other people and started lots of wars trying to be the next Alexander. At least Augustus has this notion of good rulership, that you're not just a great powerful person, but you're a good ruler somehow.