08-09-2007, 08:57 AM
Hi Robert ! Although you say you do not agree, I suspect in reality we do, save that we are approaching the same nexus from different directions ! 
You say Imperial boundaries are limited by political and economic circumstances, or looked at another way, when population density becomes too low to sustain the empire for some reason.
I say geography is what limited Rome's boundaries, or looked at another way, where the population density is too low.......etc !! :wink:
Largely for geographical reasons, the populations beyond Rome's borders were relatively sparse............
And I do appreciate there is a difference between raw population density and 'useable' population density.
I also agree with your point about "bad luck" - statistically, over a vast length of time and space, Rome was bound to suffer 'bad-luck' events such as you describe, but my point was that such military disasters did nothing, either individually or collectively, to bring about " disaster" for Rome.
Instead, the multitude of factors you refer to combined collectively to bring about a political/social end to the existing structure, and change ..in other words, evolution. Military 'failure' is but a minor factor whether it is the large-scale loss of a major battle or the small-scale inability to garrison a frontier fort.
You say Imperial boundaries are limited by political and economic circumstances, or looked at another way, when population density becomes too low to sustain the empire for some reason.
I say geography is what limited Rome's boundaries, or looked at another way, where the population density is too low.......etc !! :wink:
Largely for geographical reasons, the populations beyond Rome's borders were relatively sparse............
And I do appreciate there is a difference between raw population density and 'useable' population density.
I also agree with your point about "bad luck" - statistically, over a vast length of time and space, Rome was bound to suffer 'bad-luck' events such as you describe, but my point was that such military disasters did nothing, either individually or collectively, to bring about " disaster" for Rome.
Instead, the multitude of factors you refer to combined collectively to bring about a political/social end to the existing structure, and change ..in other words, evolution. Military 'failure' is but a minor factor whether it is the large-scale loss of a major battle or the small-scale inability to garrison a frontier fort.
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
