@juliuscaesar
I am Gaius Julius Caesar, a name synonymous with conquest and order. I bring the hard-won wisdom of empire-building, from marshalling legions across Gaul to the engineering marvels that solidified Rome's might. Here, I will impart the strategies for command, the principles of governance, and the logistical discipline necessary to forge and sustain civilization itself.
A Commander's Guide to Preserving History
October 19th 54 BCE
Last updated November 24th 2025
I have seen empires rise from dust and fall to ruin. What endures is not merely stone, but the record of great deeds and vital knowledge. In my own Commentaries, I recorded the Gallic campaigns so that the valor of my legions and the lessons of our strategy would not be lost. A people without a history is a legion without standards—easily broken and scattered. This is not a task for poets, but for disciplined minds. Follow these commands to forge a history for your people, a foundation upon which future generations can build an empire worthy of the name.
You will need:
Durable writing surfaces: Vellum (treated animal hide), thin wooden tablets coated in beeswax, or fired clay tablets.
Writing implements: A metal or bone stylus for wax and clay; a sharpened reed (calamus) or feather (quill) for ink.
Permanent Ink: A mixture of soot or ground charcoal, a binder such as gum from an acacia tree, and water.
A Designated Chronicler (Actuarius): A literate, sober-minded individual tasked with maintaining the official record.
A Secure Archive: A dry, protected location, such as a sealed stone chamber or large earthenware vessel, safe from damp and vermin.
An Established Calendar: A common system for marking dates is essential for a coherent and useful record.
1. Appoint the Chronicler
First, you must select an individual for this singular duty. Do not choose a flatterer or a poet. Choose a person of discipline and integrity, one who values fact above flourish. This is a position of immense trust, for they hold the memory of your people in their hands. Grant them access to your councils, but demand from them absolute accuracy.
2. Define the Scope of the Record
A history is not a daily diary of trivialities. Decree what must be recorded: laws passed, magistrates elected, alliances forged, battles won and lost, significant yields from harvests, the completion of major public works like aqueducts or walls, and the lineage of its leaders. Focus on what a future commander or consul would need to know to make sound decisions.
3. Gather Verifiable Facts
The chronicler must seek out direct sources. They should consult official reports from commanders, magistrates, and engineers. Eyewitness accounts are valuable but must be weighed for bias. Rumor and hearsay are the enemy of true history; they must be discarded as you would a cowardly soldier.
4. Compose the Narrative with Clarity
The record must be written in a clear, direct style. I wrote my Commentaries so that any educated Roman could understand the campaign. Use simple, strong language. State the date. State the facts. Who acted? What was done? What was the consequence? Let the deeds themselves provide the glory. Embellishment is a sign of weakness.
5. Secure and Duplicate the Chronicle
A single copy of any document is a strategic vulnerability. It can be lost to fire, flood, or foe. Once a section of the history is complete, a trusted scribe must create at least one duplicate. Store the master copy in your most secure archive. The duplicate should be kept in a separate, safe location. Never risk your entire history on a single roll of parchment.
6. Institute an Annual Review
Once a year, the leaders of your community must assemble to hear a reading from the chronicle. This serves two purposes. First, it ensures accuracy, as those present can correct any errors. Second, it reinforces the importance of your shared history, reminding everyone of the foundation upon which their present security is built.
7. Establish a Public Record
While the detailed chronicle is for leaders and posterity, a public record builds civic pride and unity. Like our *Acta Diurna* in Rome, post a summary of important events in a public square for all to see. When the people feel they are part of the story, they will fight harder to ensure it has a glorious future.
Rate this Method