Steele Brand

And we can't forget that Julius Caesar, because he survives,

either brings down the Republic, delivers it a mortal blow, or nearly brings down the Republic, which then is finished off by his adoptive son.

And who does he model himself on?

We know how it works out.

We know that the Macedonian successor kingdoms, they lose to Rome.

We know that the Macedonian phalangites in the long run, they cannot defeat the Roman legions.

So the question is, can Macedon at the height of its power under its greatest general defeat Rome at the very beginning of its power?

Now, that tells you a lot about how great Rome is going to become.

But is Alexander the best general of the day?

I think we have to say yes.

It's simply based on his list of accomplishments.

Is he extraordinary in every single thing that he does?

No, I think it's a combination of capabilities that he has.

We could take, for example, just one, just one of the dozen guys that Livy mentions.

And if we have a dozen leading,

Consuls and senators we have dozens and dozens others that could also serve and this in this role because Rome is this Rome at this point in time has created a structure where if you want to be a leading Republican representative you have to lead men in combat for a decade of fighting you have to go out to battle every single year and

just like, for example, the commanders of Alexander.

I do think we have the same kind of qualities on both sides.

I disagree with Livy that everyone's as great as Alexander, but I think Livy has a point because if we just take Quintus Fabius Maximus, one of these guys, Quintus Fabius Maximus, really honest, either grandfather, great-grandfather of the famous guy, Phytannibus,

He is a master of deception.