Reading Blog Post #3 Claudius vs Xinchen

Based off of the material available, I think that Xinchen was a better leader than Claudius. There is no doubt that Claudius was a great contributor by finishing the drainage canal of Lake Fucine and the aqueduct he had built, but it's also important to look at the reasons why he took on these big projects. It is mentioned in the excerpt that "He made the attempt on the Fucine Lake as much in the hope of gain as of glory." There's no doubt that everyone enjoys recognition and the completion of great feats, but the specific mentioning of this makes Claudius seem like a lesser person. Also, toward the end of the excerpt is it mentioned that he had "30,00 men at work all the time without interruption." Without specifics, I am assuming that this means he worked these men very hard with few breaks. This sounds like a man who is more interested in glory and accomplishing tasks. His people gained from these tasks of course, but it doesn't seem like it is his focus.

Xinchen on the other hand left a "man of the people" impression on me. Reading that he enjoyed farming like the average person and often went in and out of villages and visited them makes him seem like a superior leader than Claudius. I can imagine a powerful Emperor ordering people to do great deeds in his name for Claudius, and I can imagine a well rounded everyday man for Xinchen who just happens to be in a higher position. Xinchen's accomplishments are not as great in comparison, but in terms of leadership qualities he is above Claudius. I also like that he set up legislation in regards to the distribution of water.