Constantine & Ashoka: Great Rulers of Ancient Times - Essay Sample

Introduction

Constantinus Augustus is said to have been one of the great Greek legend rulers during the ancient times. Constantinus Augustus was born in February 27th c.272 and his father was Valerius Constantinus who was also a leader and an army officer and his mother was known as Helena (Pfeilschifter, 2016). On the other hand, Ashoka Maurya was born at around 304 BC Pataliputrs to his father Bidhusara and Dharma her mother. Both the Constantine and Ashoka were great and important rulers in the ancient days who played a very important role in maintaining, ruling and shaping their respective kingdoms (Pfeilschifter, 2016). They possess a very positive impact in relation to their ruling in relation to war affairs, finance, social life and religion organizations. Constantine was basically located in the Roman empire and however much they did not introduce the Christian religion in his kingdom, he had a very big impact in leading and fulfilling his promises more so in the Roman empire (Pfeilschifter, 2016). This was mainly as a result of being converted to the same when he was initiating his power and regime in the empire.

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Similarly, Ashoka was almost in the same path as Constantine because he was too a convert to new faith which was Buddhism. As a result of his capacity and royal privileges, he empowered the religion and gave financial resources in a bid to support the Buddhism religion to flourish. However, both Constantine and Ashoka form a council whose main purpose was to support and enhance those particular religious organizations. Additionally, both of the leader's reigns and government were formed as a result of wars meaning the empires were formed after a successful struggle. For Ashoka, the leader sincerely discovered himself after the tyranny that it took for him to enable him to be crowned the emperor. For Constantine however, he had a strong belief in God and this was revealed and manifested in the war when the leader made a fatal mistake by trusting misguiding and misleading information that nearly brought down his kingdom.

Both the leaders, however, were ruthless leader with several instances in which they showed no pain, sorrow or mercy. This is highly depicted in Constantine in a situation where wife and son and Ashoka goes ahead to kill many of his family members and friend on his way to become the emperor. The two leaders were ruthless and did tolerate anything that might stand on their way to success. Both the leaders drove a very successful empire because of their personalities and economic status and as a result, these leadership qualities enable their kingdoms to flourish and prosper until their death time (Afsaruddin, 2016). Constantine with his managerial and leadership skills was able to reunite the Rome fraternity that has already been disjointed in the previous centuries and leaderships. Ashoka, on the other hand, manages to reunite India together before it was later conquered after his demise.

Both the leader were influenced by various women in their legacy and administration. Constantine was keenly watched by his mother to ensure that he carried out her leadership roles in accordance with the law and regulation of the kingdom (Afsaruddin, 2016). Ashoka on the hand was influenced and monitored by a certain queen who was coming from Vidisa and it was this particular woman who brought him and introduced him to the Buddhism religion (Afsaruddin, 2016). Some significant lessons can be learnt from the study of Indian and Greek empires because all the kingdoms were ruled by two great leaders.

Religion stands out as a key component defining both the cultures and a very strong pillar of the moral standpoint in society. It was considered as one of the greatest factors for uniting the people in both the kingdoms and fostering peace amongst people. Even at times of war and battles, the religion idea was used in driving the battle and war agenda and conquering lands because both the cultures were just emerging at a time when Constantine and Ashoka entered into power or started their empires. When both the leaders decided to convert and adopt a new religion belief them all the other authorities that were linked to the ruling regime had to convert and equally follow the religious belief of the leaders. This was identified when the leaders decided to form religion councils which were a major component of the administration system.

In the study of the two leaders, culture and the leadership styles that they offered them several lessons can be learnt and applied in the modern business and contemporary environment. The main lesson from the two leaders is taking a strong stand in certain matters that can enable you to prosper in several dimensions. Both the ruler have an inbuilt belief that they had the ability to change the change their respective empires and was highly informed on where to go. Despite the fact that the direction they took might be costly, they stood their ground and bravely forged ahead. They had a belief that in any situation that there is a greater risk them most probably there is a greater reward.

References

Afsaruddin, A. (2016). Loyalty and Obedience to the Ruler: Religious Obligation or a Practical Necessity?. The Muslim World, 106(2), 361-373. doi: 10.1111/muwo.12146

EllisBarrett, L. (2003). Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus2003413Philip Matyszak. Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson 2003. 240 pp., ISBN: 0500051216 PS19.95/$34.95 Chronicle Series. Reference Reviews, 17(7), 62-63. doi: 10.1108/09504120310498248

Pfeilschifter, R. (2016). Jill Harries, Imperial Rome AD 284 to 363. The New Empire. (The Edinburgh History of Ancient Rome.) Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press 2011. Historische Zeitschrift, 303(3). doi: 10.1515/hzhz-2016-0482