It’s Better To Share

Feb 4, 2020

The podcast delves into the intriguing world of Roman emperors and the ruthless quest for power. It contrasts their often violent actions with the extraordinary decision of Marcus Aurelius to share his authority with his stepbrother, Lucius Verus. This rare partnership highlights the strength found in collaboration and the notion that sharing responsibilities can lead to better outcomes. Listeners are encouraged to reconsider their own views on power, realizing that someone else's success can indeed enhance their own lives.

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ANECDOTE

Historical Examples of Power Consolidation vs. Sharing

Julius Caesar, Octavius, Claudius, and Nero eliminated rivals to consolidate power.
This contrasts sharply with Marcus Aurelius, who shared power with his stepbrother, Lucius Verus.

ANECDOTE

Marcus Aurelius's Uncommon Act

Marcus Aurelius, upon becoming emperor, named his stepbrother co-emperor.
He willingly shared power and wealth, demonstrating a departure from typical tyrannical behavior.

INSIGHT

Benefits of Sharing

Sharing power can be more effective than shouldering the entire burden alone.
Another's gain doesn't necessitate one's loss; it can actually make life easier.

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For Julius Caesar’s grip on power to be complete, he had to eliminate his rivals. So too did Octavius, Caesar’s nephew who succeeded him. Claudius eliminated senators who threatened his reign. Nero, even with the moderating influence of Seneca, violently dispatched his mother and stepbrother. That’s basically the entire history of emperors and kings—an endless parade of heirs getting rid of other potential heirs and anyone who might exert influence on the throne.

All this makes what Marcus Aurelius did upon ascending to power all the more remarkable. Because he too had a rival, at least on paper: his stepbrother, Lucius Verus, the biological son of Antoninus Pius. Yet what did Marcus do? What was the first thing he did with the absolute power that we all know corrupts absolutely? He named his brother co-emperor. He willingly ceded half his power and wealth to someone else. Imagine that.

Why did he do this? Well, for starters, he had a problem with murdering people just because they might want what he had. But more philosophically, Marcus was wise enough to understand that there was plenty of power to go around—that the job of emperor was really hard and it might actually be better to split the duties with someone else rather than to try to selfishly shoulder the whole burden yourself.

It would be wonderful if we could get better at seeing this ourselves. That someone else’s gain is not our loss—in fact, it might actually make our lives easier. That historically, those who try to maintain an exclusive and tyrannical grip on the reigns don’t actually tend to hold them that long. That we are improved by the process of sharing and collaborating and bringing people in (did you notice that there are two authors for The Daily Stoic and The Daily Stoic Journal? Both those books were incalculably improved by Stephen Hanselman’s translations and insights. Sharing works!).

It’s lonely to go through life alone, to try to do everything by yourself and for yourself. That approach rarely brings out the best in anyone or anything. So start sharing.

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