Reading your blog is a breath of fresh internet air. It's really great to see seminars summarized so succinctly, and somehow blissfully blended in to your travels and life. Keep it up!
Iulius Caesar spent many years as a soldier. He was certainly a brilliant tactician with a strategic mind. His conquest of Gaul, his later campaign in Greece again Pompey Magnus and his cynical politics were tests of his leadership. The fine Joan never commanded so many troops, or a navy.
That said, she did INSPIRE troops to do for France what only Caesar's troops did for pay, pillage or land. And, you know yourself, an inspired soldier is worth 10 mercenaries.
Perhaps a better comparison is between Henry V or the Black Prince?
Excellent thoughts, thank you for sharing them! I concede your point about better historical comparisons, but they would be beyond the scope of my newsletter which is focused on a particular set of readings within the Great Books canon. I brought Joan into dialogue with our Plutarch readings for fun and contrast, not necessarily for historical accuracy. I appreciate your intellectual challenge, though! Great food for thought!
I'd like to hear more from you about Joan as a commander. Of course we are all awed that she did it. But the extraordinary "who" tends to overshadow the "how" of her victories. Sainthood aside, how did she do it? And who was the greater military genius, Julius or Joan?
Great questions! Of course, my own question, "who was greater" was meant to be somewhat provocative. I don't specify what constitutes greatness in my article, so it's up to readers to define their own terms. But yes, "how" Joan achieved those stunning victories is worthy of a future article. Thanks!
Reading your blog is a breath of fresh internet air. It's really great to see seminars summarized so succinctly, and somehow blissfully blended in to your travels and life. Keep it up!
Thank you for your kind feedback! I get a lot out of our seminars and enjoy sharing it with others. :)
Apples and accordions, Madam.
Iulius Caesar spent many years as a soldier. He was certainly a brilliant tactician with a strategic mind. His conquest of Gaul, his later campaign in Greece again Pompey Magnus and his cynical politics were tests of his leadership. The fine Joan never commanded so many troops, or a navy.
That said, she did INSPIRE troops to do for France what only Caesar's troops did for pay, pillage or land. And, you know yourself, an inspired soldier is worth 10 mercenaries.
Perhaps a better comparison is between Henry V or the Black Prince?
Vale!
Excellent thoughts, thank you for sharing them! I concede your point about better historical comparisons, but they would be beyond the scope of my newsletter which is focused on a particular set of readings within the Great Books canon. I brought Joan into dialogue with our Plutarch readings for fun and contrast, not necessarily for historical accuracy. I appreciate your intellectual challenge, though! Great food for thought!
Ah! But Henry V is in the Great Books vol 26! Something about shedding one's blood on crispy taco day.
Aha, touché!! Well, I'll have to revisit this post when I get that far in my reading. ;-)
I'd like to hear more from you about Joan as a commander. Of course we are all awed that she did it. But the extraordinary "who" tends to overshadow the "how" of her victories. Sainthood aside, how did she do it? And who was the greater military genius, Julius or Joan?
Great questions! Of course, my own question, "who was greater" was meant to be somewhat provocative. I don't specify what constitutes greatness in my article, so it's up to readers to define their own terms. But yes, "how" Joan achieved those stunning victories is worthy of a future article. Thanks!