Hearts and Minds
Lessons from Greeks and Romans

Once a long time a go there was a culture who made science and learning their sole purpose in life. These folks were the Greeks. And they invented Evolution (the theory of beginnings), calculated the circle of the earth, and used their knowledge of engineering and math was used to conquer the civilized world under Alexander the Great. Then their empire imploded.

The Romans admired the Greeks and they wanted to emulate them. So they used there tough minded fighting men to sweep up after the Greeks to build there own empire.

Before long the Romans came to blows with the Greeks, Greek battle formations were deep and geometrically perfect with the finest tech in the ancient world. The Romans had shallow formations with Greek-inspired wepons and armor (although not nearly as good). The commanders of the Greeks were learned men and schooled in philosophy, however their counterparts were not.

There was a reason our Roman forebearers did not adopt everything Greek: Roman commanders understood the heart of man. Roman psychology may have been unsophisticated, but it was true. The shallow formations of men allowed every soldier to fight, and while they were not geometrically correct, soldiers were not given the oppertunity to become fearful and run. Fighting was intense. The leagons of Rome carried the day.

The lesson here is no matter how precise and sophisticated your techniqes or skills are, more sucess will be gained by understanding the heart of man. Knowing how people act under stress and how to minimize the stress in your mind and body will give you the freedom to overcome and defeat your opponents. In sports, war, and daily life.

Thanks for reading.

by Erik Schlagel - June 6, 2010

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