The first empire in recorded history belongs to Sargon of Akkad. According to Will Durant he called himself “King of Universal Dominion.” Simon Sebag Montefiore notes that Sargon was referred to as the “King of the four quarters of the world.”
Montefiore also notes that the dominion of Sargon “like every empire, it all depended on power and violence.” Durant writes “Historians call him “the Great,” for he invaded many cities, captured much booty, and killed many men.” Montefiore notes that he “triumphed in thirty four battles.” By 2300 BC Sargon of Akkad was busy conquering the world and ruling his empire.
Joshua Mark wrote that Sargon “conquered for no city, only for himself and, once he had control of the area, then built his own city to enjoy the benefits of conquest.” He ruled his empire for 56 years. He then passed on control to his son.
Sargon was skilled in the exercise of power. He could not be defeated and his ambition has been copied by rulers over the next 4,000 years. His grandson Naram-Sin expanded the Akkadian empire and exercised the same dominion over man.
Sargon was great. Naram-Sin was great. Their legacy of empire continued throughout history. With each successive generation a new competition began to see who would exercise dominion over man. New empires would be formed on the backs of previous empires that had been crushed by the new challenger vying to be the next Great ruler.
As the centuries progressed the names changed but the goal remained the same. The exercise and use of power and violence to become the ruler who exerted the greatest dominion over man. Sargon was followed by Naram-Sin, who was followed by Hammurabi, Nebuchadnezzar, and Rameses. The names of those who exerted greatest dominion are well known. Cyrus, Xerxes, and Alexander had their turn. They were followed by the likes of Caesar, Augustus, and Constantine. William the conqueror, Abbas the Great, Akbar the Great, and Suleiman the Magnificent each exercised dominion over their kingdoms. Napoleon, King Leopold, Stalin and Mao continued the legacy into the twentieth century. Vladimir Putin continues the tradition today using his armies to conquer new territories to increase his dominion.
The story of Cain and Abel provides insight into the mindset that might exist in the rulers who would make dominion of men their primary occupation. Cain learned the secret to achieving great power. Hughes Nibley wrote about Cain: “The “great secret” of success that he learned from his new teacher was that he could get anything in this world by the calculated use of force.”
The calculated use of force is essential for empire building. It would be impossible to win 34 battles and become great without understanding how and when to use force.
Nibley further wrote about “an ingenious and simple self-financing operation in which one would buy power with wealth and then more wealth with the power, until one might end up owning and controlling everything. The initial capital? It was right under their feet! You begin by taking the treasures of the earth, and by exchanging them for the services of important people in key positions; you end up running everything your way.”
The history of empire is the history of power and wealth. It is a history of the calculated use of force. The names and faces of empire change but the underlying principles of empire building remain the same. The end result is also the same. The empire always collapses.
As long as rulers seek dominion over their subjects some Great man will come along and take what belongs to others by the use of force. Wealth and power will accumulate and history will remember the next Genghis Khan as a Great leader.
The human suffering inflicted will be downplayed. The military victories will be celebrated. The achievements in arts and sciences will be credited to the skillful administration of the conquerors. Without the need to govern an empire the Akkadians under Sargon would never have the incentive to create a post office, we are told by those who admire dominion and empire. Only through the skillful application of dominion over men will cultural advancements and artistic ingenuity flourish. Part of the great secret is believing that advancements are only possible if a strong man wields vast power.
If power and wealth are prized above all else then suffering and death must result. Power and wealth lead men to seek dominion over man. A world of dominion will see empires rise and fall. It will also glorify men and call them great for inflicting the most depraved acts possible. In the wake of great men is a pile of bones and ashes. Beware of the dominion of man.
Great literature should do more than entertain us. It should provide a roadmap to improving our lives.
In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens introduced readers to Sydney Carton, one of literature's most compelling and deeply flawed characters. Dickens also gives him an unusual title: the Jackal.
His struggles raise questions that remain relevant today.
Are we defined by our past mistakes? Can we overcome our weaknesses? What separates the people we are from the people we could become?
Lessons From the Jackal is a 25-day character study exploring these questions through Sydney Carton’s life, decisions, relationships, and personal development.
This is not a traditional course on A Tale of Two Cities. Our reading assignments will focus specifically on Carton, with sufficient background provided to understand his story. No previous knowledge of the novel is necessary.
Each day will feature selected readings, historical comparisons, reflection questions, discussions, and practical challenges ...
Sydney Carton appears to be a man resigned to his fate.
He recognizes the deterioration of his own character and seems convinced that his circumstances will only worsen. He is “overshadowed” by a “fatal darkness,” yet when Lucie asks why he does not change, he offers little hope that such a transformation is possible.
This resignation is particularly striking when we consider what Carton has already demonstrated himself capable of accomplishing.
He helped save Charles Darnay from a possible death sentence. His intelligence and legal abilities have contributed substantially to Stryver’s successful career. Yet despite these accomplishments, Carton seems unable to imagine a promising future for himself.
He has spent considerable time in the Manette household, often remaining withdrawn from the conversations around him. He sleeps little, continues to drink heavily, and wanders the stone streets near the Manettes’ home. Perhaps, during these solitary walks, he remembers the conversation about the echoes...
In the early 1780s, London was undergoing significant improvements to its streets and public walkways.
Many major roads were paved with stone blocks, while pedestrian footways were increasingly surfaced with broad, flat slabs of limestone. Legislation passed during the 1760s encouraged improvements in paving, drainage, and street maintenance.
Despite these improvements, London’s streets remained crowded, noisy, and frequently dirty.
Horse-drawn carriages and wagons rattled across the uneven stones, while the sound of iron-rimmed wheels and horses’ hooves echoed between the buildings. Rainwater collected along the gutters, carrying mud, manure, and other waste through the city.
Sydney Carton would have encountered these conditions as he walked through London’s streets.
One location particularly associated with Carton is King’s Bench Walk in the Inner Temple, the historic legal district where barristers maintained their chambers.
Dickens specifically describes Carton walking along King’s ...
