Feb 03 2025 12 mins 1
How Julius Caesar turned a kidnapping into a power move—and what it teaches us about sales, self-worth, and negotiation.
In Episode 235 of Anecdotally Speaking, Mark shares a fascinating story from 75 BC when a young Julius Caesar was captured by Sicilian pirates. Instead of behaving like a typical hostage, Caesar took control—demanding they raise his ransom, commanding their respect, and ultimately sealing his own legend.
This story sparks a rich discussion on the difference between price and value, and why salespeople (and all of us) should focus on selling value, not discounting price. Shawn and Mark explore how self-worth shapes external perceptions, how unpredictability generates powerful stories, and why great storytelling is often about knowing what not to include.
If you work in sales, leadership, or negotiation, this episode is packed with insights on how to increase perceived value—just like Caesar did.
Check out our upcoming events at Anecdote Events.
For your story bank
Tags: Storytelling, Sales, Value, Marketing, Self-Worth, Negotiation
This story starts at 0:39
In 75 BC, the Mediterranean had a serious pirate problem, particularly around Sicily. Among their many captives was a 25-year-old Roman nobleman named Julius Caesar. At the time, Caesar held no public or military office—he was a young aristocrat of no particular note.
The pirates demanded a ransom of 20 talents, the standard amount for a hostage. But instead of pleading for his release, Caesar laughed in their faces and told them, “You have no idea who I am—you must ask for 50 talents instead.” Amused but intrigued, the pirates agreed, and Caesar sent his entourage back to Rome to raise the larger sum.
While waiting for the ransom to arrive, Caesar refused to act like a captive. He spent his time composing speeches, forcing the pirates to sit and listen as he recited them. He hushed them when he wanted to sleep. He even openly declared that once he was freed, he would hunt them down and crucify them. The pirates laughed, assuming it was a joke.
After 38 days, the ransom was delivered, and Caesar was released. But he kept his promise.
Despite holding no official power, he raised a small naval force, returned to the island where the pirates had held him, and captured them all. He took them back to prison, where the local governor hesitated over how to punish them.
Caesar didn’t wait. He went to the prison himself and had them all crucified.
In Episode 235 of Anecdotally Speaking, Mark shares a fascinating story from 75 BC when a young Julius Caesar was captured by Sicilian pirates. Instead of behaving like a typical hostage, Caesar took control—demanding they raise his ransom, commanding their respect, and ultimately sealing his own legend.
This story sparks a rich discussion on the difference between price and value, and why salespeople (and all of us) should focus on selling value, not discounting price. Shawn and Mark explore how self-worth shapes external perceptions, how unpredictability generates powerful stories, and why great storytelling is often about knowing what not to include.
If you work in sales, leadership, or negotiation, this episode is packed with insights on how to increase perceived value—just like Caesar did.
Check out our upcoming events at Anecdote Events.
For your story bank
Tags: Storytelling, Sales, Value, Marketing, Self-Worth, Negotiation
This story starts at 0:39
In 75 BC, the Mediterranean had a serious pirate problem, particularly around Sicily. Among their many captives was a 25-year-old Roman nobleman named Julius Caesar. At the time, Caesar held no public or military office—he was a young aristocrat of no particular note.
The pirates demanded a ransom of 20 talents, the standard amount for a hostage. But instead of pleading for his release, Caesar laughed in their faces and told them, “You have no idea who I am—you must ask for 50 talents instead.” Amused but intrigued, the pirates agreed, and Caesar sent his entourage back to Rome to raise the larger sum.
While waiting for the ransom to arrive, Caesar refused to act like a captive. He spent his time composing speeches, forcing the pirates to sit and listen as he recited them. He hushed them when he wanted to sleep. He even openly declared that once he was freed, he would hunt them down and crucify them. The pirates laughed, assuming it was a joke.
After 38 days, the ransom was delivered, and Caesar was released. But he kept his promise.
Despite holding no official power, he raised a small naval force, returned to the island where the pirates had held him, and captured them all. He took them back to prison, where the local governor hesitated over how to punish them.
Caesar didn’t wait. He went to the prison himself and had them all crucified.
