11-21-2003, 06:04 AM
Quote:</em></strong><hr>My interest goes deeper, though, including concepts such as their philosophy (stoicism) and democracy (one shield, one vote).<hr><br>
I find the contrast between Aristotle and Plato to be fascinating. Stoicism and scepticism to me are interesting as attempts to deal with a decaying culture by turning one's focus inward. I find the Spartan system of government as important as the Athenian democracy since many features of our own republic have more in common with the Roman Republic and the Spartan system than the Athenian "pure" democracy. The idea of citizenship being tied to ownership of land was also similar in the early Roman and American republics.<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>In my opinion, an army is a reflection of a culture.<hr><br>
I agree. A quick comparison of the armies of the Roman Republic, early Empire, and late Empire illustrate this quite well I think.<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>Though, I wish there were more information about the Minoans and Mycenaeans <hr><br>
So do I. I'd like to know how much Homer reflects military practices of his own day rather than that of the Late Bronze Age. The mystery of the general cultural collapse in the Eastern Mediterranean c. 1200 BC is also a perennial favorite of mine.<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>I love the purpose, discipline, and lethality of their armies. <hr><br>
You would probably like Hanson's other books <em>The Western Way of War</em> and <em>Carnage and Cultures</em>.<br>
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I find the contrast between Aristotle and Plato to be fascinating. Stoicism and scepticism to me are interesting as attempts to deal with a decaying culture by turning one's focus inward. I find the Spartan system of government as important as the Athenian democracy since many features of our own republic have more in common with the Roman Republic and the Spartan system than the Athenian "pure" democracy. The idea of citizenship being tied to ownership of land was also similar in the early Roman and American republics.<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>In my opinion, an army is a reflection of a culture.<hr><br>
I agree. A quick comparison of the armies of the Roman Republic, early Empire, and late Empire illustrate this quite well I think.<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>Though, I wish there were more information about the Minoans and Mycenaeans <hr><br>
So do I. I'd like to know how much Homer reflects military practices of his own day rather than that of the Late Bronze Age. The mystery of the general cultural collapse in the Eastern Mediterranean c. 1200 BC is also a perennial favorite of mine.<br>
Quote:</em></strong><hr>I love the purpose, discipline, and lethality of their armies. <hr><br>
You would probably like Hanson's other books <em>The Western Way of War</em> and <em>Carnage and Cultures</em>.<br>
<br>
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