06-28-2014, 11:30 AM
Physiologically, there is probably not much difference between the Romans and us, although dietary changes, a more sedentary life-style and advances in medical knowledge, allowing the survival of those formerly too sickly to live, will have had some impact. Thinking and attitude, though, have changed immeasurably as study of Roman history will demonstrate. From a military point of view, attitudes have changed, even in comparatively recent times. In this year of all years, when we remember the outbreak of the First World War, can we imagine a modern army (except, perhaps, the Chinese) being prepared to go over the top and be mown down in its thousands by machine-gun fire - or any officer of today ordering it?
Modern parallels can be useful in suggesting possibilities but they cannot do more than that. They can never be determinants and must always give way to contrary evidence from the past.
Modern parallels can be useful in suggesting possibilities but they cannot do more than that. They can never be determinants and must always give way to contrary evidence from the past.
Michael King Macdona
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
