Gods And Rabble Rousers Poem by gershon hepner

The victories that seem to please the gods
have problems when they seem to come to odds
with moral standards of a higher level
than that espoused by gods who give the devil
his due in certain battles. Victrix causa’s
to gods more pleasing than to rabble rousers.

In Lucan’s epic poem Pharsalia, describing the defeat of Pompey by Caesar at Pharsalus, and inspiring, it seems to me, the libretto for Handel’s Giulio Cesare, Pompey becomes a kind of secular martyr; calm in the face of certain death upon arrival in Egypt, receiving virtual canonization from Lucan at the start of book IX. This elevation of Stoic and Republican principles is in sharp contrast to the ambitious and imperial Caesar, who becomes an even greater monster after the decisive battle. Even though Caesar wins in the end, Lucan makes his sentiments known in the famous line Victrix causa deis placuit sed Victa Catoni - 'The victor's cause pleased the gods, but the vanquished pleased Cato.' This line has been a favorite for supporters of lost causes over the centuries. One American example comes from the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetry, which has these words inscribed on its base.

2/4/09