River to Cross

The decline of a Republic, breakup into irreconcilable factions, politicians weak and ineffective, malaise, discontent, civil unrest, the disintegration of civic society, the emergence of 'strong-men', the seeds of civil war. Eventually, a Rubicon is crossed; for better or worse there is no turning back

This is exactly how it played out in Rome in the last century BCE. Julius Caesar led a spectacular military campaign in Gaul, conquering all before him in an unprecedented fashion. It was entirely private enterprise, unsactioned and unfunded by the senate, but appeased, not confronted. He fed back fake carefully-curated news of his campaign to Rome, rabble-rousing and ratcheting up his popularity

Eventually he turned and marched for home. Finally waking up to the danger, the authorities ordered him to disband his army north of the river Rubicon and return to face trial for treason. But he was strong and they were weak. He crossed the Rubicon, knowing it made civil war inevitable. He prevailed and became dictator for life, succeeded by his son as a full-blown Emperor. Sleep well, America. I'm sure history doesn't repeat itself - well, not exactly

This is not the Rubicon, it is Agden Dyke, a feeder stream to the river Lowther, source of the notorious Sheffield flood of 1864. The dam that precipitated the catastrophe is less than 2km away. A Rubicon of sorts for the city: many changes in regulation and construction to ensure 'never again' 

MrsM is carrying a grandson in a sling, on the return leg of a walk lasting over an hour - just the three of us, parents having a relaxing time on their own (if cold-water swimming in sub-zero air, and a sauna punctuated by rolling on frosted grass is your idea of relaxation). A Rubicon for all of us