As always Paul Andruss can be relied on to turn something we take for granted into gold… for example most of us have heard the expression ‘Crossing the Rubicon’ and thought little of it. However, once you read the story behind the expression… you will think a little more carefully before making that journey!
Crossing the Rubicon (Unknown)
You would be forgiven for thinking Rubicon is a bit like Comic-con, but for people who love jewellery. It isn’t.
The Rubicon was a shallow meandering river in North Italy that ran along Ancient Rome’s boundary. To prevent trouble, the Senate decreed no general could bring his legions across such borders into Roman territory.
Over a decade Julius Caesar made a fortune subduing Gaul. He slaughtered countless people, enslaved the rest and carted off everything that wasn’t nailed down. Due to some pretty fancy footwork he also made sure the plebs in Rome knew what a hero he was. (And we think self-promotion started with Facebook and Twitter!)
With Caesar’s governorship of Gaul ending, he wanted his due reward. Being elected Consul was the ultimate accolade in Roman politics. But while the people loved their dashing hero, the Senate, seething with jealousy, plotted to arrest Caesar for treason.
Caesar knew he was safe in Gaul with his legions. The Senate didn’t have anyone with the balls to seize him in front of his soldiers. And once Consul, he would also be immune from prosecution.
But , here was the rub…
Read the rest of this illuminating post that cautions against crossing the Rubicon: http://www.paul-andruss.com/rubicon/
You can read all of Paul’s original posts for Smorgasbord in this directory: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/writer-in-residence-writer-paul-andruss/
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