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Similarly, in ancient Rome, when a triumphant general would parade through the city heralded as a god, right behind them on the float would be a slave whispering into their ear "Memento mori", "remember that you are mortal".

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What are the chances of that story being told twice within 48 hours:

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1311428

Perhaps greater than you'd expect, if lsb had read the other post.

I hadn't read it, but that's interesting that Patton knew Roman history! (I have a master's in Latin and Greek.)

I would think any general would be versed in Roman history...

Especially one who believed he fought the Romans at Carthage.

Patton was Hannibal?

He believed that he had been reincarnated and died in battle a number of times and what have you. Not necessarily as a general, though.

Reminds me of a king's jester who would taunt the king and publicly and privately mock him.

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