Quick
answer: Not much.
Then: Spies, plots, deception, fake news
&, execution of rivals
Now: Spies, plots, intrigue, deception,
fake news & character assassination of rivals.
I’ve been
reading history and historical novels.
Ten Caesars
by Barry Strauss begins with Augustus whose reign began in 27
BCE, and concludes with Constantine who ruled from 306 CE to 337 CE.
Roman rulers ranged from reasonably benevolent to
tyrannical. A common thread through all was the imperative to gain and hold
power. Advantageous marriages, divorces, and courting those already in power
were key. Political alliances came and went as power shifted. Plots, deception, murder, trickery and
conspiracy were standard tactics. False stories were circulated to discredit
rivals. Rivals and pretenders were executed, forced to commit
suicide, or exiled to remote provinces.
Things were pretty much the same in the 15th
and 16th century reigns of the Plantaganets and Tudors.
Here, too, rivals and pretenders were executed or
imprisoned or both. Advantageous marriages were vital to retain control and
ensure the desired succession. The Tower of London was either a lifetime prison
or the last step before beheading.
Intrigue included spies in every noble household, among
merchants, and at every port of entry. A non-technical equivalent of today’s
bugging technology. At one point, many nobles had their private conversations only
where there was no chance for eavesdropping False stories were circulated to
discredit rivals.
So here we are today – from municipal to national
politics. Spies are planted in rival’s
campaign organizations, etc. Electronic bugging happens. False stories are planted in our vast media
community. Assassination today is
figurative, not literal, but still destroys rivals.
Today’s politics are just the modern version of ancient
Roman, and not quite so ancient, English monarchs.
Only the names and the faces have changed.
One immortal quote from The Ten Caesars:
“Emperors come
and go but the bureaucrats provide continuity.”
