Rome\'s Longest War?

[john m roberts]

One of the things that put Rome on top and kept her there for so many centuries is that, unlike most other people of the Mediterranean civilizations, they weren't demoralized by defeat. They understood that you didn't lose because the gods had abandoned you, but because you'd done something wrong. These mistakes could be studied and corrected. They were seldom outfought but sometimes outgeneraled. If you beat them they'd bounce back and come back at you and they'd fight smarter this time. Eventually, they'd make you settle down and pay your taxes.