Ancient Romans had different concepts
about victory and triumph.
Victory is defeating the enemy. Triumph is
countable victory.
In war, defeating the enemy in a civil rebellion
is also victory. In civil wars the enemy is not a foreign country; it is a
citizen of the same country turned traitorous.
Chasing away a foreign enemy from the
land is also victory.
In both the cases, the enemy is
defeated, chased away or killed and the land is protected.
The boundaries remain safe but same. The
exchequer remains safe but same. No boundary is enlarged; no exchequer is
enriched.
This is victory.
Triumph is a different thing.
A triumph was an
occasion for the ancient Romans to confer a public and solemn honour on a victorious military general, by allowing
him a magnificent procession through the city.
This was not granted by
the senate of the country unless the general had gained:
i. A
very signal and decisive victory.
ii. Conquered
a province.
In triumph the military
general has to effect:
·
Conquer of the enemy by enlarging the boundary
of the land
·
An enrichment of the exchequer of the land
Victory is maintaining
the status quo.
Triumph is enrichment.
It is a countable victory.
A victorious military
general adds nothing to the present status quo. The country is happy and enjoys
peace; but not enriched.
It continues to live in
complacency relying on the great valour of its military general.
Life is not affected.
Economy is steady. Business goes well.
A victorious state is
like a static pool. No waves, only ripples.
Triumph always adds
more to the country. It adds more to life.
It is a challenge not
complacency.
It is counted and
described in measurements.
It is not a fantastic
story but a sensual experience. We see it around, we feel it and we live in it.
Victory is defense;
triumph is offense.
Ancient Romans valued
triumph more than victory.
What do we prefer?
Victorious life or triumphant life?
Professor Jacob Abraham
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