The concept of public service
In ancient Rome.
In recent weeks we have seen in the student movement a group of young, spokespeople for the movement, sacrificing, time, rest and forces in pursuit of their causes. But at the same time, these students have had to suffer as a result of this, a great media exposure and all that entails.
latter has led some people to wonder about the situation these young people face, then return to be ordinary citizens, the same routine and invisibility of the vast majority of ordinary Chileans.
is said that power corrupts and that the closer you are to him in time and degree, is much more difficult to quit.
Having been at the forefront of the student movement, has brought these young people to these levels of power, which, like many other things, is a highly addictive drug. JJ
Tolkien, was illustrated well through his trilogy "The Lord of the Rings", through the mysterious power exerted by the ring famous people who possessed it, making a real wild animals, if someone tried to take away their "precious ring."
But there are these examples of negative changes that may result in prolonged contact with the power, people, history also provides examples of men and women who have been incorruptible against the temptations that exercises this brilliant ring.
History of Ancient Rome, has left us a number of men who were an example in his time, stoicism and indifference against the tentacles of power.
One of them, the famous Roman general, Lucius Cincinnatus Quintius (519-439) has been remembered by history, by their disaffection towards power and self-sacrifice, however, a pure and honest public service.
After a strong shock is in the Senate of Rome, Cincinnatus decided to leave politics and move to his farm on the outskirts of the city, where with his own hands, is dedicated to cultivate their land with his family and slaves.
Past few years, in 458 BC, Rome was confronted with a dangerous movement of nearby tribes that they intend to invade. The city of Rome sent an army by the Consul Minucia to suffocate, but the inability of the consul are falling to the army in an ambush where they are surrounded and encircled by the troops of the tribe of the EUCOS. The Senate and the Roman people to realize the serious situation meet, decide to seek the one man who they believe can save Rome, General Cincinnatus.
Legend has it that upon arrival the delegation of the senate, the house of Lucius Quintius, found him plowing his field in broad daylight, with his son and slaves.
The Senate gives the position of dictator Cincinnatus, who was rarely given to people, because of the privileges that entailed.
The office of dictator, lasted 6 months and during that time, who holds this post, I had all the powers of the Roman state in their hands.
The Romans believed that in complex and catastrophic situations really was a man need only concentrate todo el poder, para así tomar medidas rápidas y eficientes y no perder valioso tiempo en debates, votaciones y conversaciones que sólo llevaban a la inacción. Pero tanto poder en manos de sólo una persona, también acarreaba grandes peligros, como abusos, corrupción y sobre todo la adicción al poder que podía llevar a un ambicioso hombre a tratar convertirse en un verdadero Rex (rey), pero a pesar de lo que cualquier persona hubiera pensado, cincinato venció rápidamente a los enemigos de roma y en vez de quedarse durante los restantes meses con el poder total que le daba la dictadura, opto por dejarlo inmediatamente después de haber derrotado al ejército de los Eucos y volvió a lo que había dejado unfinished product of war. A work their land as any farmer more.
Cincinnatus took the attitude that so impressed the Romans of his time after his death, he became a canon as an example to all Romans and the new generation who grew up listening to the story of the Famous General Lucio Quintius Cincinnati in a battle that had defeated two great enemies.
"The valiant people of the EUCOS, but on this, the dangerous and addictive power, through a sincere and genuine sense of public service."
Gabriel Carranza Garcés.
