As 2024 passes into history, let us keep in mind that Christmas, stripped of modernist complications, has always meant brotherhood towards others, gratitude for one’s blessings, and the firm belief in a better future.
This is the spirit to which we aspire in 2025, and it is in this spirit that we wish you a fulfilling start to the New Year!
Why we started INVICTUS
Before we dive into what you can expect in 2025, James and I want to share some brief background on why we started this list, and what we hope it helps you achieve.
We chose the name INVICTUS, ‘unconquered’ in Latin, as we firmly believe that the earthly human spirit can never be conquered so long as it can count upon sources of inspiration. If you follow us, you probably agree.
In an age where leadership and vision is continually blunted by committees and hidden agendas, what better source of inspiration than the examples set by the Great Men? The men — be they rulers, painters, saints, or explorers — who in the face of great adversity shaped the course of history.
That’s why each week, we take an in-depth look at a different figure who towered over others in his respective field, celebrate his deeds and consider how he was able to achieve them, and analyze his failures and what you can learn from them.
In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to have strong examples to look to for inspiration — and that’s exactly what we hope to provide you with in each article.
What to expect in 2025
We are excited to hit the ground running in 2025, and are honored to do so together. This Thursday, don’t miss our deep-dive on the anniversary of one of the most extraordinary moments in Western history — the fall of Granada and the completion of the Spanish Reconquista.
Over the weeks to come, we will be turning to figures such as:
The renowned British Admiral Horatio Nelson, exploring both his victories at sea and his largely forgotten adventures in Italy
The political genius of Octavian Caesar and his transformation into Augustus, Rome’s first emperor
King Louis XVI of France, dissecting the mythology and propaganda that continues to distort perceptions of the French Revolution
All of this — and more — is coming in January alone!
What to do next
If you were on Evan’s previous email list, you received a monthlong complimentary subscription when your address was imported to SubStack. That means you’ve been enjoying unfettered access to all INVICTUS posts this past month!
Those complimentary subscriptions are set to expire at the end of this week — if you do nothing, you’ll continue to receive the regular Tuesday articles moving forward.
But if you’ve been enjoying our content and want to make sure you continue to get both our Thursday and Saturday emails, then please consider upgrading now to a monthly, annual, or Praetorian Guard level subscription.
Whether you were a part of the original import or have joined us since, you can upgrade your subscription by clicking the button below:
As a reminder, our publication schedule is as follows:
On Tuesdays, we send you a story from the life of a great author, artist, soldier, or statesman. Each email concludes with 3 concrete takeaways you can use to help you build your empire and leave a legacy.
On Thursdays, we send out a deep dive analysis relating to the character covered in the Tuesday email — expanding on his virtues, his life story, and what you can learn from him. (Paid subscribers only)
On Saturdays, we send out a topical email that explores a current event by looking through the lens of history. (Paid subscribers only)
Sic itur ad astra
As Virgil wrote in his Aeneid, ‘thus one journeys to the stars.’ We hope our weekly installments of INVICTUS enable you to make the most of 2025 by helping you learn from the greats who went before you — whether in 1825 AD, or 25 BC.
We wish you a wonderful New Year and a great rest of the Christmas season. May 2025 be your best year yet!
Ad finem fidelis,
-Evan & James