INCITE

“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.” ―  Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt forged his character like a blacksmith forges a sword - only through exposure to the purifying fires and beatings of life, could he mould himself into the man he wanted to become. The foundation of his fortitude was found in his overcoming of great hardships; his greatness came from his embracing of difficulty. Born in the metropolis of New York City, on October 27th, 1858. His father, Theodore Roosevelt Sr, was a businessman and philanthropist, a figure of emulation for young Theodore. However, as a young boy, Theodore Roosevelt showed only signs of a sickly boy, in need of constant nurturing. His debilitating asthma and general poor health left him home-schooled; isolated and in pain… the perfect ammunition

Ostinato Rigore – Relentless Rigour The 15th-century Renaissance provided fertile soil for the most inspiring and innovative souls in human history. A culture with the aim of returning to primary sources: questioning everything, rediscovering lost knowledge and providing artwork of staggering beauty. Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Montaigne, Raphael… Men of incredible vision and intellectual fortitude; However, the man that best represents and embodies all that is ‘renaissance’, is Leonardo Da Vinci. Born out of wedlock, in a small Tuscan city called Vinci, on April 15 th , 1452, little was expected of young Leonardo. Being a bastard, Leonardo could not inherit his father’s lands or last name, hence, he was known as Leonardo Da Vinci - Leonardo from Vinci. Behind the success of the Renaissance was the use of patronage and apprenticeships. Noble and wealthy individuals would pay, to support and promote skilled artists and intellectuals. Da Vinci became the apprentice of Andrea Del Verrocchi

 The Roman Empire was forged in blood and brutality. The great Roman historian Tacitus put it best… ‘they make a desert, and call it peace' After 400 years of ruthless military conquest, the roman republic had expanded from 3 square miles of land to 720,000 by 100BC - becoming the most powerful state in the Mediterranean We can find the essence of Roman ambition and drive in its mythological origin. The twin brothers: Romulus and Remus, both nurtured by a She-Wolf. Their disagreement over where to establish their society led to fratricide, Romulus killed Remus and went on to establish Rome. By looking at our etymology, the origin of words, we can best understand Roman culture. Our concept of virtue is derived from the Latin ‘Virtus’, which is itself derived from ‘Vir’, the Latin for man. The Romans worshipped the God ‘Virtus’ as the archetypal representation of all the qualities that a Roman man should possess, the qualities of; Virility, Valour,