Donald Trump: The American Caesar

Is Donald Trump the American Caesar? There are many incredible parallels between the two men.

The Roman establishment hated Julius Caesar and wanted him dead. They were prepared to do anything to stop him. They believed he would be a disaster for Rome, and bring chaos. They thought he was an obnoxious, overweening, preening narcissist and power-mad oligarch. He was denounced as a populist demagogue who would say anything to get into power. They declared him a lethal threat to the Republic. Friends disowned him. Supporters became enemies. Numerous influential Romans spoke out against him and delivered chilling warnings if Caesar should assume power in Rome. Are you experiencing déjà vu? All of this applies to Donald Trump in modern America as he campaigns to become President.

Julius Caesar was a "Strong Man" who brought order to Rome in a time of weak leaders, an establishment that had lost its way, which no longer had any vision, and which was allowing chaos to reign on the streets. Before Caesar came to power, the glory that was Rome was fading fast. Its best days seemed behind it. The Republic was failing. The people no longer believed. There were bitter clashes between the supporters of the Optimates (the right wing party, equivalent to the Republicans) and the Populares (the left wing party, equivalent to the Democrats). Caesar was the anti-establishment demagogue determined to make Rome great again, to give it strong leadership, a clear direction, the firmest of purposes. He aspired to make Rome greater, richer and more powerful than ever before.

Caesar was both loved and hated. The establishment were terrified of him and tried to shut him down. He was a larger than life character who said and did incredibly provocative things. Caesar had a penchant for luxury, for beautiful women, and for telling the people he was the Special One who could make all the difference between the success and failure of Rome.

More prosaically, he was vain about his growing baldness, and attracted a degree of ridicule for his elaborate comb-over attempts to conceal his hair loss. He was a big fan of building walls (!), of strengthening the Roman military machine, of enhancing his self-image.

Caesar regarded himself as a god, and was extremely intolerant of his enemies. He could never be accused of political correctness, of not saying what was on his mind. He was blunt, populist and rude.

Today's America bears many resemblances to the Rome of Caesar's day. Donald Trump is the only presidential candidate who can do for America what Caesar did for Rome. Caesar gave Rome a new lease of life. He set in motion the transition from a failing Republic to a glorious, flourishing new Empire.

In Dante's Inferno, Cassius and Brutus, the leaders of the deadly plot against Caesar, are depicted being eaten alive by Satan for their hideous crime. Many of Trump's enemies should be similarly consigned to Satan's mouth.

Vote Donald Trump. Vote for strong leadership. Vote to make America great again.

The die is cast. It's time to make Donald President of these United States of America. Delenda est Carthago.

Hail Caesar.

Hail the Donald!