Sooth sayer, sooth sayer … Say me some sooth …
It is upon us again dear ones. We approach the Ides of March. Problem is, we can’t recognize the sooth sayers anymore.
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JULIUS CAESAR
Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue shriller than all the music
Cry “Caesar!” Speak, Caesar is turn’d to hear.
SOOTHSAYER
Beware the ides of March.
JULIUS CAESAR
What man is that?
MARCUS BRUTUS
A soothsayer bids you beware the Ides of March.
WHAT WERE THEY CELEBRATING ON THE IDES OF MARCH ANYWAY?
from Britannica ...
Lupercalia, ancient Roman festival that was conducted annually on February 15 under the superintendence of a corporation of priests called Luperci. The origins of the festival are obscure, although the likely derivation of its name from lupus (Latin: “wolf”) has variously suggested connection with an ancient deity who protected herds from wolves and with the legendary she-wolf who nursed Romulus and Remus. As a fertility rite, the festival is also associated with the god Faunus.
The Romans measured the beginning of their month at the New Moon. The full moon, two weeks later, was known as the Ides. Apparently, the Romans used the Ides as the middle mark of their month. Three days til the Ides. Five days after. And so on …
THE DEATH OF JULIUS CAESAR
The Ides of March: The assassination of Julius Caesar and how it changed the world from The Telegraph
With Caesar gone, Rome spiralled into another cycle of civil wars, which resulted in one of the most significant constitutional transformations in history.
The Eternal City abandoned its trademark republican system of government and became an empire. In place of the Senate electing two consuls each year as joint heads of state, they transferred power to a largely omnipotent emperor.
Ever since, people have argued which system was better.
So, who are the sooth sayers, anyway?
I certainly don’t know. That is the problem. I know that there are voices I pay attention to. Your various political analysts, cultural observers, and late night comedians for sure. But who’s to say that any of them are right? I try to be careful of cognitive biases and the like but it’s hard. Who do you trust to be doing the right intellectual work to bring something resembling truth?
Anyway, I leave you here and hope you join me to discuss the people who are trying to bring truth.
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