I have been thinking about the Roman emperor Nero for much of the past year. I’m not sure why, because there is absolutely no connection between his reputation as an ineffectual leader and the supremely competent men and women currently steering our country towards overwhelming levels of progress and prosperity. And yet, I can’t seem to get him out of my mind—his over-inflated ego, complete lack of concern for people he was supposed to care about, even his documented poor taste. Why a dead leader written off as a failure would occupy my mind is something I have no explanation for.

Historians have long dismissed the myth of an uncaring Nero fiddling while a fire ravaged his city in 64 AD. They point out, for instance, that the fiddle didn’t even exist at the time. There are other reasons offered to debunk the story, but they probably won’t stick because we usually tend to accept colourful fiction over staid fact a lot easier. I also believe the larger point that gets lost in the telling of that particular tale is how powerful leaders are often underappreciated for their lack of empathy, when they should be congratulated for this quality instead.