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Corbulo: a name to conjure with, a name to follow into…

“Corbulo: a name to conjure with, a name to follow into battle, wherever he led; a name to have a man marching to the gates of Rome, crying Imperator! until the crowds and the idiot senate and the corrupt wax-brains of the Praetorian Guard and every other man with voting powers in the city came to…” quote by M.C. Scott
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““Corbulo: a name to conjure with, a name to follow into battle, wherever he led; a name to have a man marching to the gates of Rome, crying Imperator! until the crowds and the idiot senate and the corrupt wax-brains of the Praetorian Guard and every other man with voting powers in the city came to understand what we already knew: that this man should be our emperor, that Rome would thrive under his rule, in place of the fool who presently held the throne. Corbulo, who stood before us that bright, brisk spring afternoon and watched as our centurions bawled us through our paces, and then as Cadus took charge and marched us through the display that we had been practising, if we were honest, for the last four years, just for this moment.””

M.C. Scott

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A speaker glorifies Corbulo, urging the crowd to replace the current ruler with a strong leader.

In simple terms: Calls for a heroic emperor to restore Rome’s greatness.

Key Takeaway

Support capable leadership.

Themes

leadership politics history

Mood

inspirational dramatic

Type

historical oratorical

When to use this quote

  • political rallies
  • public speeches
  • leadership selection

Key Concepts

authoritarianism military virtue

Questions to Reflect On

  • What qualities truly make a good ruler?
  • How to balance power with accountability?
A Different Perspective

May oversimplify complex governance needs.

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