# The river of no return By [Luozhu](https://paragraph.com/@luozhu) · 2022-11-20 --- _Thanks to Vitalik Buterin for reading and reminding me that I missed the most original and crucial case! That is, Caesar crossed the Rubicon River, "alea iacta est", the era of the Roman Republic is coming to an end._ The destiny moment ================== In human history, there has always been a river of no return. It is waiting for someone with enough courage, determination, and perseverance to step over. The man who crossed the river became the ruler. Caesar crossing the Rubicon =========================== "The river of no return" originated from Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon in early January 49 BC. According to the law of the Roman Republic at the time, a general leading an army across the Rubicon would be considered a rebel. ![Rubicon River](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/8b5829e273c6340ddfe27aa2dbeb97c97ea3d5921ad6c9b65f5aec9949d918a7.png) Rubicon River But Caesar did not hesitate, he led his army across the river to start a civil war, and uttered the phrase "_alea iacta est_" (the die has been cast). This is what we call "passing a point of no return" today. He defeated Pompey and became Dictator perpetuo, ultimately pushing the end to the Roman Republic. [ Crossing the Rubicon - Wikipedia -------------------------------- The phrase " crossing the Rubicon" is an idiom that means "passing a point of no return". Its meaning comes from allusion to the crossing of the river Rubicon from the north by Julius Caesar in early January 49 BC. The exact date is unknown. http://wikipedia.org ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_Rubicon) Other famous river-crossing cases ================================= ### Battle of Marengo Napoleon crossed the Alps and made a surprise attack on the rear of the Austrian army. Victory in this battle changed the fate of France and Europe forever. [ Battle of Marengo - Wikipedia ----------------------------- Battle of Marengo Part of the Italian campaigns in the War of the Second Coalition The Battle of Marengo Louis-François Lejeune, 1801 Belligerents French Republic Habsburg monarchy Commanders and leaders Strength Originally: 22,000 men, 15 cannonTotal: 28,000 men\[3\] 30,000 men, 100 cannon Casualties and losses 5,600 1,100 killed 3,600 wounded http://wikipedia.org ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/7eb9ac44da15c0e31ec3e87259dc954ec98e8f11589e28bd00e1f006a203ec0c.jpg) ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Marengo) ![Map](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/b98b4802aebb40c12cfa4dc49a32184c8778e338a755bde750b6a2ccb75d97b6.jpg) Map ![Napoleon Crossing the Alps](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/25198e26034e02a0262549768a378f05cc147f71e46486ef4422bdf0b944ad25.jpg) Napoleon Crossing the Alps ### Battle of Chishui River During the Long March, Mao Zedong unexpectedly crossed the Chishui River four times and jumped out of the encirclement of KMT. This victory ensured the survival of CCP army and established the People's Republic of China in 1949 [ Battle of Chishui River - Wikipedia ----------------------------------- The Battle of Chishui River ( simplified Chinese: 赤水战役; traditional Chinese: 赤水戰役), popularly known in mainland China as the Four Crossings of the Chishui River or " Crossing the Chishui River Four Times" (), was a major battle between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) in 1935. http://wikipedia.org ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/e83524cef0ecb4c6be5c76477dda6ea6a8b4786cc3a74644b85e44e14393aad8.png) ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Chishui_River) ![Mao Zedong](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/36c0140ff39479a7e21109ea314b6c4ed78889fd8415056ea41dab459b7ee999.png) Mao Zedong The final war ============= Today, there is no doubt that humanity is waging a war. The target of this war is no longer a particular nation or opponent, but the eternal enemy of mankind - death, space, and fundamental science. We're waiting for someone to cross this crucial river and eventually bring us a significant victory. [ The Fable of the Dragon‑Tyrant ------------------------------ An allegory against complacency about aging and death. https://nickbostrom.com ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/91c4c2f0d1a56ebe0798a90d207e6d7e20f433508f5b8cf32837e1c83243650d.png) ](https://nickbostrom.com/fable/dragon) ![This is human, we never give up](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/10197aca0dedc68060de0e659c48ecabeecf10be2fee8bdf2d83edbedbcae3e8.jpg) This is human, we never give up --- *Originally published on [Luozhu](https://paragraph.com/@luozhu/the-river-of-no-return)*