Here’s a writeup of my Phi Beta Kappa Distinguished Faculty Lecture.
My chat with Talking Points Memo about Russia, ISIS and Leadership Ancient and Modern
I had a fine time chatting with Talking Points Memo about Russia, ISIS and leadership ancient and modern. Here is a link to the conversation: Barry-Strauss_Livechat TPM May 18, 2017
A LEADER LOOKS WHERE NO ONE ELSE DOES
“Others follow their own lead and their own emotions. Don’t be distracted but go straight on.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations You’re in a large room. Everyone is looking in one direction, following reports from the media. Mainstream media, social media, and alternate media – all are pointing the same way, and everyone follows. Everyone, that is, except the one person …
How to Network: a Present on Cicero’s Birthday
January 1 is the birth of a new year and January 3 is the birthday of an old classic — Cicero. One of the greatest of history’s statesmen and speakers, as well as a brilliant writer and a penetrating philosopher, Cicero was born in Italy on that day in 106 B.C. Put Cicero on your list of reading resolutions …
A Monument and an Election
I have the privilege of spending a month living on a hill above one of the most beautiful cities in the world – Rome. My apartment window shows the dawn breaking on marble monuments, bronze chariots and winged victories, with the mountains as a backdrop. Around the corner stands one of the capital’s most beautiful fountains, built in 1612. The …
“MY HONOR FOR MYSELF” – The Liberation of Rome 1944
The Allies marched into Rome on June 4, 1944. Some years ago I asked a US army veteran who was there about his experience. “It was the greatest day of my life,” he told me. “The streets were lined with crowds. Everyone was clapping and cheering: Americani! Americani! Viva gli Americani!” American troops came into town through the Porta San …