Diversity in Counsel, Unity in Command: Leadership Lessons from Octavian’s Siege of Metulum

Introduction

In the dark room of the oldest building in Metulum stood Valdus. He was looking through the small opening of the thick megalithic wall. Even he does not know when this great building was built. Its walls protected the Metulum and the Iapodes living in it for centuries. The walls were older than the stories of the elders he was listening to through his upbringing. Stories of his tribesmen fighting all of the invaders on their tribes.

He was looking at beautiful green hills and mountains where he roamed free for the entirety of his youth.

The dense forests of the Dinaric Alps framed the fortified city of Metulum, the stronghold of the Iapodes.

Inside its walls, together with Valdus, many men fill the large hall. The air was thick with tension. Valdus, young but seasoned leader of the Iapodes, stood glazing through the window of the council chamber, listening intently to the advisors and the leadership of the tribe.

Iapodes and Romans

Iapodes were one of the Illyrian tribes living in the area of today’s central Croatia and Bosnia.

It was 35 BC, the times in Illyricum became more and more complicated. Liburnians disturbing constantly Roman galleys in the Adriatic Sea made all of their tribes visible and somewhat a burden to the Romans.

Before that, Iapodes lived peacefully in lands forgotten by Romans. But lately, Roman patrols and expeditions of Roman armies became more and more frequent in the area of Iapodes, more frequent and crueler.

Valdus, the leader of one of the Illyrian tribes, the Iapodes, was a peaceful leader, preferring to live off agriculture rather than his pirate neighbors along the Adriatic coast, across Mons Baebius. But it looked like they would all have to pay the price for the misdeeds of Liburnians.

Pax Romana

Although, in the encounter with the Romans, his tribe did not have to face the extinction, but it did surely have to face the extinction of the life they knew so far. Iapodes loved their way of life, their freedom and their dedication to their gods and spirits.

Before the Romans would conquer certain tribe or territory, they would always first offer the terms of surrender.

They would submit non-negotiable terms of surrender to the tribe or the besieged city, and the city could accept those terms to the very moment the first battering ram hit the walls of the city.

After that distinct moment, no surrender was possible, and the city could either be victorious (which was very rare against such force) or face total annihilation.

Although Valdus has never been to Rome or faced Romans before in this way, he knew about the terms and the protocol of the “Pax Romana”. He heard it from merchants and travelers that they hosted in their fort. He heard the horror stories of total annihilation by Romans brought upon tribes that proudly resisted.

He knew that once the decision is made on what they would do (surrender or fight), that there would be no going back, no one must back down, as neither will Romans.

He understood the prophetic meaning of this ultimate peace: either you are with us, or you do not exist. Hence, Pax Romana did promise peace: to those who accepted Rome’s terms, a prosperous tranquility; to those who resisted, a silence born of their own annihilation.

The Decision

“We should negotiate with the Romans,” urged Bradan, the elder statesman. “Octavian’s terms may be harsh, but they offer a chance for survival.” Yes, it was Octavian, future Emperor of the Romans, known later as Augustus, that personally led the invasion on the small tribe of Iapodes.

“No!” countered Rugius, a fierce warrior whose scarred face bore testament to countless battles. “We must defend our home and honor. The Romans will show no mercy even if we surrender.”

Valdus, his gaze steady and contemplative, weighed their words. He knew the significance of this moment. The diverse voices of his council were vital, but soon a decision had to be made — a decision that all would have to follow.

Outside, the Roman legions prepared for their assault. Octavian, standing distinctly amidst his officers, delivered his ultimatum. “Surrender before the battering ram strikes or face the full might of Rome.”

The sun rose, casting long shadows on the walls of Metulum. Valdus, with a final glance at his council, raised his hand for silence. “The time for debate is over,” he declared. “We will fight.”

He might have never heard Cyrus the Great, centuries before him, who was remembered for saying: “Diversity in counsel, unity in command.” But he knew the principle, he knew if they have even slight chance of winning and freedom, that from that moment on, everyone, both Bradan and Rugius must respect the common decision and fight with full vigor.

The first blow of the battering ram echoed through the city, a thunderous crash that silenced all dissent. In that moment, the Iapodes of Metulum unified under Valdus’s command, ready to defend their stronghold with unwavering resolve.

What Can We Learn From Conundrum of “Pax Romana” Iapodes Faced

The often forgotten and neglected principle of Cyrus is very much applicable to all of the situations we face today, especially in a business environment.

In the sleek boardroom halfway across the world and centuries later, a tech company faced its own critical moment. The CEO, Anna, gathered her executive team to decide on entering a competitive new market.

“Marketing sees huge potential,” said Sarah, the CMO, her presentation filled with data and projections. “This is a golden opportunity.”

“But the financial risks are substantial,” cautioned Tom, the CFO, highlighting potential pitfalls and budget constraints.

Operations chimed in with logistical challenges, and legal raised regulatory concerns. The room buzzed with debate, each perspective vital to the decision at hand.

Anna listened carefully, valuing the diverse counsel. But she knew a decision had to be made. The deadline loomed, much like the battering ram poised outside Metulum.

“We move forward with the launch,” Anna finally declared, her voice cutting through the debate. The room fell silent, then quickly transformed into a hive of coordinated activity. Each department aligned with the unified strategy, ready to execute the plan with precision.

Conclusion

Reflect on the parallels between Valdus’s leadership during the siege of Metulum and modern corporate decision-making:

Diversity in Counsel: Both Valdus and Anna relied on a wide range of perspectives to inform their decisions.

Unity in Command: Once the decision was made, both leaders ensured a unified approach, emphasizing the importance of cohesive execution.

By using this narrative structure, you can effectively illustrate how the principles of “diversity in counsel, unity in command” have timeless relevance, from ancient military strategies to contemporary business practices.