All Glory is Fleeting

It is said that General George S. Patton often told a story of Roman Triumphs to convey a prophetic warning about the fleeting nature of glory.

The story goes: For thousands of years, Roman conquerors were honored, upon return from victories in foreign lands, with a triumph—a ceremonial parade through the streets of the city. The glorious spectacle was not merely intended as an honor for the victor, but also to celebrate the tremendous power of Rome and its people. The procession was led by the soldiers of the victorious army followed by many subjugated enemy warriors—often bloodied and in chains. Behind them rode the revered leader in a magnificently adorned chariot. Standing in the chariot, behind the conquering hero was one captive usually dressed in a white tunic, continuously whispering in the exultant hero’s ear: “Sic transit gloria mundi,” quite literally “Thus passes the glory of the world.” A sobering reminder that the magnificent sensation of victory cannot last.

Perhaps these words should also serve a warning to those who believe that American world dominance is ever-lasting.

Ghost Fleet, by P.W. Singer and August Cole, was released at the end of June and it should immediately be placed at the top of all military and national security policymaker’s reading lists. While the reviews of this novel are widely available online (a couple of links below), I won’t deliver any destructive spoilers if you haven’t read it yet.


Reviews and Press:
Interview from The Economist
Review from The Diplomat
Review from Foreign Policy

Using the customary comprehensive technology appreciation exhibited in Wired for War, Singer and Cole tell the story of the next world war where once again the lack of imagination that plagued pre-9/11 US defense experts brings dramatic consequences.

Get it, read it, think seriously about its warning—all glory is fleeting.

Sic transit gloria mundi.