Divide and conquer
Meaning
This strategy involves breaking a larger entity or problem into smaller, weaker components to overcome them more easily.
Origin
The powerful adage "divide and conquer" echoes through the annals of history, a chillingly effective strategy refined by ancient empires. Its Latin equivalent, divide et impera, was a favored tactic of the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire. Rather than confronting an entire, unified enemy, Roman generals and statesmen would cleverly exploit existing rivalries, forge temporary alliances, or stir up dissent among enemy factions. By breaking down their adversaries into smaller, squabbling groups, Rome could conquer them one by one, ensuring their own dominion. This ruthless yet brilliant approach cemented Rome's vast territorial control and continues to define strategic thinking in politics and warfare to this very day.
Examples
- The marketing team decided to divide and conquer the vast new market, assigning different regions to separate teams.
- Facing a powerful rival, the politician sought to divide and conquer by exploiting internal disagreements within the opposition party.