10-27-2014, 04:46 PM
So, your idea is that because a pagan prophesized Rome would last only 1200, that’s its fall was inevitable at the end of the 1200 period? --That would seem to be superstition.
Or are you arguing that the Roman patricians “let” the empire fall because they knew it no longer was protected by the gods?—That would assume that the aristocracy had control over foreign policy, which they didn’t. Also assumes that landholders actually cared about and wanted to be Roman citizens, rather than subject to “barbarian law,” which depending on circumstances, was sometimes a better deal for them at the end.
I still fail to see how the story about Stilicho burning the Sibylline books (even if true), somehow hastens the end of Rome. If people believed in the prophesy and/or it was true, then the fact it was written down wouldn’t have mattered.
I fail to see the significance.
Or are you arguing that the Roman patricians “let” the empire fall because they knew it no longer was protected by the gods?—That would assume that the aristocracy had control over foreign policy, which they didn’t. Also assumes that landholders actually cared about and wanted to be Roman citizens, rather than subject to “barbarian law,” which depending on circumstances, was sometimes a better deal for them at the end.
I still fail to see how the story about Stilicho burning the Sibylline books (even if true), somehow hastens the end of Rome. If people believed in the prophesy and/or it was true, then the fact it was written down wouldn’t have mattered.
I fail to see the significance.
There are some who call me ......... Tim?
