RobotNixon wrote: ↑Thu Nov 04, 2021 4:21 am
Welcome! Just out of curiosity, got a backstory on picking Scipio as your nom de plume or just think Latin sounds cool? No worries either way.
Thanks for asking. That tells me you might have some Latin in your background like I do.
Long story short is I was in a leadership class once, and the instructor said to think about who is your hero or someone you admire, and that will give you a clue as to what kind of leader you are or aspire to be. To me, that was great military commanders like Scipio Africanus or great pioneers like Davy Crocket. Scipio Africanus started his career being defeated by Hannibal in the First Punic War while also seeing his father and uncle killed in that war. Rome was almost conquered by Hannibal from Carthage, modern day Tunis. Carthage had been a nemeses for Rome for years, and Scipio took the fight to the Carthagiens, in the Second Punic War, defeating Hannibal by deploying tactics that used Hannibal's elephant strategy against him. Hannibal's feat of taking elephants across the Alps and defeating the Romans in the first war was one of the greatest strategic victories of all time. Now, in Carthage, two of the greatest generals of all times faced off, and Scipio won. Before the battle, both leaders met in part because they each wanted to meet their accomplished foe. Hannibal had also lost family, two brothers, in the First Punic War. Both had reason for personal vengeance against the other, but Scipio showed honor in victory and allowed Hannibal go back to Carthage and rule the economic empire that still stood. However, 50 years later Rome decided Carthage must be obliterated and Scipio Africanus' grandson, Scipio Amellianus, burned Carthage to the ground and thus popularized the Latin phrase, "De lenda Carthago est?" ie "Carthage must be destroyed" I have adapted that saying for myself, saying my enemies must be destroyed, not just defeated. Carthage was never a world power again. Scipio's personal loss and defeat did not deter him from changing defeat into victory, taking the fight to the enemy, not afraid to face the best, and show honor and magnanimity in victory. Those are attributes are ones I have striven to achieve, thus "Scipio' my nom de plume" In other words, "Res ipsa loquitr" when considering my take.
And yes, I think Latin is cool also.
On a personal note, I have a son-in-law who is a carrier fighter pilot for the Italian Navy, but that happened after I chose my blogging name. Destiny I guess.
BTW as a historian, that was the short version!