10-18-2012, 05:36 AM
I'm not entirely sure that Rome can be compared to the United States in any meaningful context. The similarities that can be drawn (founded, grew, won a few huge wars, prospered, declined) are so broad as to deprive us of any useful comparisons, since that pattern can be applied to nearly any civilization that has ever existed.
Prosperity and decline can be traced to specific reasons and circumstances, on a case-by-case basis. Having said that, the next step in making a comparison between Rome and the United States would be to see if any lessons relevant to 21st century context can be gleaned from the Roman decline. My answer: no. America certainly has it's share of challenges, but none of Rome's larger problems,e.g., frequent civil war, hostile mass migrations, plagues, and an indefensible frontier. (Which I know you understand, but mentioning them is part of my point).
Prosperity and decline can be traced to specific reasons and circumstances, on a case-by-case basis. Having said that, the next step in making a comparison between Rome and the United States would be to see if any lessons relevant to 21st century context can be gleaned from the Roman decline. My answer: no. America certainly has it's share of challenges, but none of Rome's larger problems,e.g., frequent civil war, hostile mass migrations, plagues, and an indefensible frontier. (Which I know you understand, but mentioning them is part of my point).
Take what you want, and pay for it
-Spanish proverb
-Spanish proverb
