Stabbing Caesar, a DC United Convert, and Three Rules
David's Digest: Here’s what I’ve been diving into lately.
First, a sincere thank you:
I’ve been truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and positive feedback on my essay from two weeks ago that marked 18 years of living with chronic back pain.
Your messages of encouragement and kindness have meant more to me than I can express. If my responses have felt a bit lackluster, it’s only because I’ve been at a loss for words to fully convey my gratitude.
For those of you who are new here, welcome! Alongside my long-form essays, I also send out David’s Digest, a semi-regular roundup of the books, articles, videos, and other things I’ve been learning from and enjoying.
Book I’m reading:
Caesar: Life of a Colossus by Adrian Goldsworthy
I recently finished listening to Adrian Goldsworthy’s epic biography of Julius Caesar. Ever since moving to Rome in August, I’ve been diving into ancient Roman history, for obvious reasons! I started with Mary Beard’s SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome, which gave a wonderful overview of the mythical and archaeological origins of Rome through the rise and fall of the Republic. Goldsworthy’s Caesar: Life of a Colossus provides an in-depth look at one of history’s most fascinating leaders.
Caesar’s life reads like a whirlwind of ambition, brilliance, and controversy. Rising from a relatively modest background for Roman nobility, he became a skilled general, orator, and politician, reshaping the Republic through his military conquests, political alliances, and reforms. Goldsworthy captures both his charisma and his ruthlessness, showing how Caesar’s relentless drive to consolidate power ultimately led to his dictatorship and his assassination at the hands of former allies.
On my daily commute to and from work, I walk past the ruins of the Curia of Pompey where Caesar was stabbed to death on the Ides of March (pictured below). It’s surreal to live in a city with layers and layers of history thousands of years old. Reading about Caesar while walking through the city he once ruled brings the story to life in a way no classroom or documentary ever could.
“Ultimately, most of the Roman elite preferred to allow some of the major problems facing the Republic to go unanswered rather than see someone else gain the credit for dealing with them.”
Video I’m loving:
A good friend of mine, Taylor Kemp, recently appeared on Journey Home, a show on EWTN where converts and reverts to Catholicism share their stories. Taylor and I first met in 2015 in RCIA, the weekly classes for adults entering the Catholic Church.
At the time, Taylor was playing for DC United, Washington, DC’s professional soccer team. There probably weren’t many other MLS fans in the room, but I was a lifelong soccer fan and was a bit intimidated by Taylor at first. But over time, Taylor and his wife Brittany became two of my closest friends in DC. In 2016, Taylor and I were confirmed together during the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s on Capitol Hill.
On Journey Home, Taylor shares his awesome story of how God broke into his life during his time as a professional soccer player. It’s a powerful testament to the way faith can transform us, no matter where we are in life.
Podcast I’m enjoying:
Recently, Matt D’Avella relaunched his podcast under a new name: Three Rules. Each 15-minute episode features a guest sharing three simple rules they live by.
In the first episode, Matt interviews Ryan Holiday, one of my favorite non-fiction authors and a leading voice in reintroducing Stoicism to modern audiences.
Ryan’s three rules are timeless yet practical:
Always be reading.
Seek out mentors.
Say yes. Then say no.
If you’re looking for a quick burst of inspiration, this podcast is worth a listen.
Music I’m listening to:
The Dominican House of Studies has an incredible Christmas album! It’s very much still Christmas, so have a listen and stay in the Christmas spirit.
Quote I’m reflecting on:
“We have only one story. All novels, all poetry, are built on the neverending contest in ourselves of good and evil. And it occurs to me that evil must constantly respawn, while good, while virtue, is immortal. Vice has always a new fresh young face, while virtue is venerable as nothing else in the world is.”
― John Steinbeck, East of Eden
Photo I’m reminiscing about:
This past August, I visited my sister in Australia, and we took a road trip along the breathtaking Great Ocean Road. One of the highlights was seeing the Twelve Apostles, a stunning rock formation rising from the ocean at the very edge of the world.
Standing there, gazing at the towering cliffs and crashing waves, was a powerful reminder of how small we are in the face of the epicness of creation.
Taken with my Rollie 35 S film camera.