https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45 I consider all the strong feelings mentioned above part of being "awake" and "alive". I believe that staying vigilant and ready is what separates being awake from being asleep. As for "semper fortis", I would argue that every worthy activity in life requires some amount of courage: being too afraid to undertake any significant enterprise secludes oneself away from what life encompasses. The last one, "Semper Fidelis" ("Always Loyal/Faithful"), is perhaps the most important. A person can stay vigilant, ready, and brave, but all for what? To serve what purpose? Staying loyal to some sort of meaning/goal and undertaking faithful service to accomplish that goal makes life worth living; a person without any set objective or purpose just drifts on aimlessly like a computer, not really "living". For instance, Gaius Iulius Caesar found meaning in serving the common people after experiencing persecution, poverty, and the loss of his father and wife at a young age. Transforming his memory of injustice and tragedy into meaning, Caesar dedicated his whole life to provide bread, safety, land, and opportunity to the disenfranchised, even leading the Populares in a revolution against the ruling oligarchy, a regime that would rather purge its political threats, like the Gracchi, Marius, or Caesar, than serve the people. Throughout his life, Caesar stayed vigilant in times of great stress, prepared with plans to solve the most enigmatic riddles, courageous during most difficult situations, and, above all, loyal to the people whom he pledged himself to. It is only fitting that he was defeated by people whom he did not recognize as enemies, for Caesar could defeat anyone, even the great Pompey, as long as the foe was recognized as an enemy. Caesar could not stay vigilant for an enemy he did not expect. Yet, in his last moments, Caesar was courageous, reproaching the conspirators for their cruel savagery, crying "This is violence!". Plus, Caesar's will made his nephew heir to the name "Caesar". This nephew, Imperator Caesar Divi Filius Augustus, would complete the revolution the first Caesar started, showing how, even in death, Caesar was prepared. For all these reasons, I consider Caesar to be the most alive (his legacy certainly is) and the epitome of aesthetic engagement. en-us 2020-06-04 00:19:40 UTC 2025-10-26 16:09:01 UTC hello@padlet.com jordanliu2023 https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/612303015 This piece epitomizes fidelity to benign authority represented by Imperator Caesar Divi Filius Augustus ]]> 2020-06-05 04:31:19 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/612303015 jordanliu2023 https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/612305402 This piece portrays the power that vigilance, prudence, and bravery can have over any obstacle; Caesar's foresight, meticulous planning, and courageous acts (such as leading a decisive cavalry charge into the Gallic rear, routing the enemies) on the battlefield allowed him to persevere through three-to-one odds. His loyalty to the Republic was shown in this great victory over Rome's enemies,  allowing him to oust the Republic's internal enemies while maintaining the respect of all.]]> 2020-06-05 04:35:02 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/612305402 jordanliu2023 https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/612311746 The piece warns against negligent/careless behaviour. Caesar was oblivious to the conspiracy, since his compassion only allowed him to see the good in people, which included enemies. The conspirators were even more thoughtless in that they thought they could get away with most unholy murder. In short, being vigilant and prepared can save one from an unexpected death.]]> 2020-06-05 04:44:48 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/612311746 jordanliu2023 https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/612315263 This piece demonstrates the power of loyalty: Caesar's faithful service to the people earned him their respect, and when Antony reminded the people of Caesar's great deeds, they rebelled against the oligarchy once more.]]> 2020-06-05 04:49:57 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/612315263 jordanliu2023 https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/612355169 The conspirators here are portrayed as crazed and treacherous (neither prepared nor loyal) and thus all soon suffer quick deaths after revealing their true nature.]]> 2020-06-05 05:44:21 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/612355169 jordanliu2023 https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/613548276 This piece shows the rewards of  foresight and courage: Caesar stands victorious while his arrogant enemy is humiliated and executed. ]]> 2020-06-05 18:54:38 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/613548276 jordanliu2023 https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/613562250 This one isn't related to Caesar, but it is related to aesthetic engagement (being "alive" and all that). The city lights look extremely vibrant and realistic, and the title "Endgame" implies that this piece is meant to portray life's potential.]]> 2020-06-05 19:05:38 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/613562250 jordanliu2023 https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/613567440 This piece portrays winning and losing as part of life. Winning and losing often are influenced by the three feelings mentioned above, vigilance, preparedness, and courage.]]> 2020-06-05 19:09:19 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/613567440 jordanliu2023 https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/613572401 Here we see different forms of loyalty and life; the crucified slaves live in servitude and social inferiority, but are loyal to the idea of rebellion and freedom; the Roman lives as a soldier and is loyal to the state and the existing social order.]]> 2020-06-05 19:13:25 UTC https://padlet.com/jordanliu2023/y6tycq6hxl115q45/wish/613572401