Preface

In the days of the Roman Empire, after a military victory the Emperor would process in triumph before the excited and grateful crowds. The sun honored him from on high with the brightest of its rays, laurels wreathed his head, the centurions saluted him as a great leader, the plebeians venerated him, life smiled upon him, and the greatest glory was no more than a first step in his triumphal ascension to Deity. Behind him, part of his mighty retinue, walked the man. The man's job was to repeat systematically to the Emperor: “Remember you are not divine, remember you are human, remember you have to die. ”