Steele Brand

What makes republics strong?

What is the situation of Rome now that we have transitioned from a republic to a monarchy?

Because he's thinking about it in terms of the Roman Republic has now died and the Roman Empire with its first emperor, Augustus, is now a very different kind of animal.

That's not just popular history.

That's really good history because it's using history to ask the most important questions.

Well, what he's concerned with is – because he's writing right at the beginning of the Second Samnite War.

And what he's concerned with is Rome in this really bad situation.

Do they actually have the stuff to be able to beat Alexander?

And so he says, well, we're going to look at three questions.

And this is what he says.

So this is like – this is Book 9, Chapter 17.

Okay.

He says, the things which tell most in war are the numbers and courage of the troops, the ability of the commanders, and fortune, who has such a potent influence over human affairs, especially those of war.

I love that he includes fortune here.

It's an ongoing theme for classical historians.

And as we'll see with fortune, Alexander in some ways is a master class in fortune.

And for the most part, good fortune, right?

Now, he overcomes enormous challenges.

No question about that.

But fortune smiles on Alexander.