Imagine Melitene, land of plenty, under snow and ice and…
““Imagine Melitene, land of plenty, under snow and ice and high blue skies; imagine it in spring, with the meltwater running off the mountains and the herds going up to the high pastures to graze and their milk scented with mint and citrus; imagine it in high summer, limpid in the day’s heat, with the hawks circling high above and the mares full fat with foal, swatting flies with their tails. Imagine that a man enters this idyll who does not know that he has come to paradise, who brings with him such ill luck as to make the statue of Fortune fall on her face at his passing and set the crows circling in murderous groups, eleven at a time, number of ill augur. Imagine such a man causing the minted milk to sour, and the men to sour with it, even before he gives the word to prosecute an unwinnable war, against the orders of his betters; or at least against Corbulo’s explicit command. Such a man was our new general and while you will have heard of the statue that fell on its face and the other ill omens – they became common enough currency in Rome soon after – you may not know that he disobeyed orders when he began his war.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A seemingly perfect land is corrupted by a leader whose bad luck and disobedience bring disaster, showing how fragile peace can be when authority is ignored.
In simple terms: A good place can be ruined by a bad leader.
Key Takeaway
Beware leaders who ignore orders.
Themes
leadership
authority
fortune
war
disaster
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
cautionary
historical
When to use this quote
- military campaigns
- political decision‑making
- environmental stewardship
- community resilience
Key Concepts
hubris
fate
political instability
Questions to Reflect On
- What signs indicate a leader is becoming a threat?
- How can societies guard against unchecked authority?
A Different Perspective
Even a single reckless command can cascade into widespread ruin.