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"The Romans and their 'oh so clever' lead piping."

Anyone else noticed how America is headed for some serious internal troubles?

Apparently 50 percent of the countries population cannot afford medical insurance. How long is this going to be tolerated?

How long is the corruption in the government going to go unchallenged?

Basically what i'm saying is the country seems to be eating itself up from within. I predict a lot of violence and unrest in the future.

Basically what i'm saying is however i try to imagine Americas domestic future all I can see is violence.

Well duh! :)

Just accept the fact that Rome was a magnificent empire.

Anyway. Reading back I see I was talking about most western countries doing great and terrible things, not forming empires.

Perhaps, but nowhere near as large as the Roman empire. Besides, Spain, France and Germany were all entire countries, whereas Rome, as the name shows, was just a city, founded by farmers. Besides, the Roman empire lasted the longest in the world which is an acheivement in itself.

RoJ wrote:
>
> With what countries? Britain is the only Western country with an
> extensive empire that can only begin to match Rome's empire. Besides,
> Rome had to conquer countries with soldiers equipped with a short
> stabbing sword - a gladdium - whereas the British troops had muskets.
> Face it, Rome - even though, I agree, they did some horrible things -
> were the greatest nation the world has seen.

I think you'll find France and Spain had a fair go too. Didn't France used to have it's fingers in vietnam and a few african countries? Spain dabbled with a fair bit of South America did it not? I'm sure you can get Germany's little escapades by yourself.

RoJ wrote:
>
> Crucifixion was only used for terrible criminals, such as murderers
> etc. Also, Rome became a Christian power and outlawed such means
> later on in her history.

Mabye i'm wrong here but didn't 'terrible criminals' used to include a lot of Rome's enemies after a battle?

Hedfix wrote:
Comparisons with most western countries apply.

With what countries? Britain is the only Western country with an extensive empire that can only begin to match Rome's empire. Besides, Rome had to conquer countries with soldiers equipped with a short stabbing sword - a gladdium - whereas the British troops had muskets. Face it, Rome - even though, I agree, they did some horrible things - were the greatest nation the world has seen.

Hedfix wrote:
> Yes RoJ. GO GO Crucifixion.
>
> *sigh*

Crucifixion was only used for terrible criminals, such as murderers etc. Also, Rome became a Christian power and outlawed such means later on in her history.

Well both Imperial Rome and the United States (and the West in general)
occupied other nations under a doctrine of self defence (the 'Roman Peace') as well as try to assimilate the occupied culture. I don't know if the U.S is trying to do the latter, since nowadays it would be close to impossible since the cultures already there are highly developed.

Seriously though The Romans did a lot of great things and a lot of really terrible things. Comparisons with most western countries apply.