©Michele Monticello Essay  all photos ©Michele Monticello  

“This is not written to defend or criticise any individual. It is a reflection on leadership, loyalty and the unpredictable nature of fortune themes that have followed humanity from Ancient Rome to the present day.” A reflection on leadership, loyalty, power and the human cost of politics

A Letter to Keir Starmer: Fortuna and the Weight of Leadership

(The Romans believed in "Fortuna" the unpredictable force of fortune and fate. They understood that a person’s position could change dramatically, one day celebrated, the next day condemned. A leader could rise to extraordinary heights and just as quickly, find themselves facing criticism, opposition and uncertainty.)

 

Dear Keir,

 

Looking at the images from Westminster, one thing stood out to me.

Not the speeches.

Not the arguments.

Not the politics.

But the expression on your face. For a brief moment, the politics seemed to disappear, and what remained was a person carrying the weight of leadership.

History often records moments like these in simple terms. A leader rises. A leader falls. Allies remain loyal or move away. Decisions are judged. History rarely captures the human experience behind those moments. Leadership is a remarkable burden. To stand at the centre of public life is to accept that every decision will be examined, every mistake amplified, and every success eventually questioned. The Romans understood this better than most. They knew that fortune could change quickly. The person celebrated today could become the person criticised tomorrow. They called this force "Fortuna."

(Fortuna represented the uncertainty of life, the idea that success, power and reputation are never permanent. Roman leaders often reflected on the fact that fortune could turn without warning.)

Perhaps that is why the story of Julius Caesar and Brutus has survived for more than two thousand years. Because beneath the politics, it is a story about people.

 

Et Tu, Andy?

What Ancient Rome Can Teach Us About Loyalty, Leadership and Political Change. “History does not repeat itself exactly but it often rhymes.” There are moments in politics when the present seems to echo the past. Watching the struggles of modern leadership, it is difficult not to think of Ancient Rome. Replace togas with tailored suits, the Roman Senate with Parliament, and the Forum with television studios and social media, and familiar themes begin to appear.

Leaders rise.

Allies gather.

Fortunes change.

And eventually, the quiet conversations begin.

Then comes the question:

 

Et tu, Andy?

(The phrase “Et tu, Brute?” comes from Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar. It means “You too, Brutus?” and represents the shock of betrayal by someone close. Shakespeare turned the moment into the most famous symbol of political betrayal, although historians debate whether Caesar actually spoke those words.) Politics has always been shaped not only by opponents, but by relationships between allies. Julius Caesar was not defeated by a foreign enemy. He was brought down by people within his own political circle, men who believed they were acting to protect Rome. That is what makes the story so fascinating. The question was not simply whether Caesar should fall. The deeper question was whether those who removed him understood what would come next.

Caesar: Reform or Too Much Power?

The story of Caesar is not a simple tale of hero and villain. His supporters saw a leader who brought reform, stability and direction. His opponents saw a leader whose power had grown too great and feared that the balance of the Republic was being lost. Both sides believed they were protecting something important. That is the dilemma at the heart of politics. Supporters of a leader often see experience, achievement and stability. Critics often see the need for renewal, change and a different direction. The arguments change. The human questions remain.

Brutus: Betrayer or Patriot?

Was Brutus a traitor? Or was he a patriot? That question has lasted for more than two thousand years. Brutus believed he was acting for something greater than himself. He feared Caesar’s power threatened the Roman Republic. His intentions may have been sincere, but history often judges not only intentions, it judges consequences.

The Irony of History

Brutus achieved his immediate goal. Caesar was removed. But the Republic he wanted to save did not survive. Instead, Rome entered another period of civil war. Eventually, Caesar’s adopted heir Augustus became Rome’s first Emperor. The Republic disappeared.

(One of history’s greatest ironies is that Brutus succeeded in removing Caesar but failed to preserve the system he believed he was defending.)

The Lesson of Rome

Perhaps the greatest lesson is not about Caesar or Brutus. It is about human nature. People can act from genuine conviction and still create consequences they never intended. A person challenging a leader may believe they are rescuing an institution. A person defending that leader may believe they are protecting stability. Both may believe they are acting in the greater interest. Only time reveals the truth.

What Lies Ahead?

Every leadership challenge begins with certainty. Those involved believe they understand what must happen next. History, however, often has a different plan. Removing a leader is often the easiest part. Building what comes afterwards is far harder. Rome reminds us that today’s decisive victory can become tomorrow’s unexpected turning point. Perhaps that is why we still read Shakespeare. Perhaps that is why we still study Rome. Not because history repeats itself exactly… but because human nature changes far less than we like to believe.

Only history will write the final chapter!

 

Further Reading

 

    William Shakespeare — Julius Caesar : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar_(play)

The play that gave the world “Et tu, Brute?” and “Beware the Ides of March.”

 

    Plutarch — Parallel Lives : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_Lives

Ancient biographies of Caesar and Brutus that influenced Shakespeare.

 

    Suetonius — The Twelve Caesars : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_Caesars

A Roman account of Caesar and the emperors who followed.

 

    Tom Holland — Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic :https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubicon:_The_Last_Years_of_the_Roman_Republic

A modern history of Rome’s transformation from Republic to Empire.