Roman Political Re-Enactment Modernized

[Robert]

Be courteous. Don't hate or discriminate.

This code is one generally understood by people all over the world. However, Roman society was based on a class system and the were a very "competitive" nation, regarding themselves Superior to most of the rest of the world, as far as I have gathered. Cartaghe wasn't just conquered, it was obliterated. They had a slave economy. It seems your code and the True Roman Way could have some interesting conflict. Is this where the modernization comes into it.

My comment on being able to find a modernized Rome in Europe could lead you to the Balkan! Isn't that the place we're now hunting war criminals for blind nationalism and ethnic cleansing? You being a student, I would say there is some studying left to do into the implications of putting into practice things which look workable on the outside. So far, most "ism's" have brought a bundle of grief when carried to extremes, be it Nazism, liberalism, Catholicism, socialism, romanism or what have you. In theory, Communism could very well work, but only is a number of strict conditions are met. To impose these conditions, however .......

Oh well, lot's of luck with your project, which does some sectarian undertones, I for one won't be joining, but that is the beauty of the freedom of choice that goes with the society I was born in.

[Chris Weimer]

Once again, I'm not trying to bring back Roma urbs. That's long done. I'm not a freak. What you do with the military, I do with politics. And rhetoric.

It's no wonder that the greatest military geniuses, save a few, said to be the worst in rhetoric, either in composition or in understanding!

[JRSCline]

You're making two classic newbie mistakes here, Chris. #1, not letting people get to know you before you planted your flag, and #2, insulting people when they respond poorly to #1.

Really, no one has any idea who you are, or what the heck you're talking about. Why not let us get to know you first?

You've said you're a student. When did you first develop an interest in Rome?

[Chris Weimer]

It was no insult! I swear it! It was actually considered a sign. Pompey was famous for not having the rhetoric of Caesar, but early on, who was certainly more powerful? No doubt it was Pompey. Caesar was a nobody until Pompey (well, and Crassus). Consider it a compliment.

As for myself, I became interested in Rome years ago as a child. Greek and Roman mythology was fascinating to me, and then later as I started to read about the whitewashed versions of Roman splendour. Finally, I took Latin in high school and it sealed the deal.

[Robert]

Hi Chris,

The Greeks held debating skills in high regard, as did the Romans. A good debate is a thing of wonder, the clashing of sharp minds using sharp words. I myself love a good scrap in words .
Perhaps it is this you mean to rediscover, the unbiased debate on social subjects, no holds barred, without the pretense of "political correctness", exploring all angles of the subject. However, as I posted before, the Roman system was rife with patronage and corrupting, stifling a good debate with a sharp stab of a pugio in a dark alley if the direction of thought was not in the "common" interest, not the environment for true debate to bloom! Parallel in my country, a brilliant debater, who had entered politics (silly sod!), Pim Fortuyn, was gunned down and killed by a member of the "lunatic left" for allegedly harboring dangerous ideas.
I think you would get further in this "forum-debate" if you were to be more open about your aspirations and the value's you wish to advocate! At present, you have us guessing, and that is not a good basis for debate, but a great basis for being ripped to shreds before having made your point!

[Chris Weimer]

I say it again, then, for clarification. What you do for military, I do for politics and rhetoric. As simple as that. Beyond that is my own aspirations, which you don't have to share.

[JRSCline]

I don't really know what we "do" for the military per se, other than yak about it a lot, and some of us dress up and play soldier.

Are you talking about dressing up as a Roman senator or noble, and partaking in traditional reenactments?

There are quite a few here who reenact common civilians. RichSC is a good one to ask about that avenue.

[Chris Weimer]

Ah, I thought this whole place was for military re-enactments. Well, it's a tad different than merely playing dress-up for a battle scene, or whatnot. Try imagining it on a grandiose scale.

How about this - imagine a fellowship of Roman enthusiasts and admirers who took it upon themselves to "emulate" Roman-style politics, but without the negative implications. So essentially the "structure" is close, but in no way do we think ourselves actual Roman citavi.

[Magnus]

Chris, you still haven't said much of the organization which you belong to. Particulars would be nice.

"How about this - imagine a fellowship of Roman enthusiasts and admirers who took it upon themselves to "emulate" Roman-style politics, but without the negative implications. So essentially the "structure" is close, but in no way do we think ourselves actual Roman citavi."

Yeah, it's called Roman Reenacting. Roman Reenacting isn't limited to military personas, there are plenty of civilians and politicians as well.

And if you want to eliminate the negative aspects of any politics, you'd better use androids devoid of human thought and emotion. Otherwise you'll get the same tune that's been played since human history began, just a different era and set of players.

And what is Roman style politics? Aren't modern politicians doing that today? Remember most western societies are based on the Roman predecessor...how much more do you want to emulate it? Since in practice, it's pretty much being done in everyday life, the only way you can add more of a Roman flare to it, is to adopt Roman persona and wear the appropriate clothing. Or do you wish to speak about issues which may have clogged the Roman Senate? Such as "basic sanitation in the Greek quarter...".

[Robert]

I'm out of here! This is not really getting us anywhere at all. Chris, get your thoughts together and learn to share them in an understandable format, all we get now is non-specific babble.

[Robert Vermaat]

Ah, I thought this whole place was for military re-enactments. Well, it's a tad different than merely playing dress-up for a battle scene, or whatnot. Try imagining it on a grandiose scale.

Ouch.

No Chris, RAT is not solely for military re-enactment. Militray studies as well as re-enactment may seem the most discussed topics, but we're doing something different here from playing dress-up.

[Robert]

So I went and visited the forum Chris has added a link to. Nothing sinister about it, very much the same make-up as RAT, totaly different subjects, very scolary, no bash and grind of sword and armor. I would take this forum-clash of misunderstanding as a meeting of different worlds. The world of re-enactment is very strange to the outside, people enjoying the displays, but not really understanding the underlaying commitment to "getting it right" and the research, debate and soulsearching wink: Good luck, Chris.

[Chris Weimer]

I can appreciate those who want to "get it right", but that's not really what we're after. Question, Robert, which forum did you go to? I was talking about SocietasViaRomana, and I link only to my forum/blog, which are neither.

This can probably better explain what I'm getting at than what I have done.

[Robert]

Thanks, clear now! I visited AMF, but now followed your link to SVR. Compared to the re-enactment scene it would seem to be struggling to find a following. I liked the discussion on the role of women in Roman society and the fact that quests can have a say, though. :lol:

[Chris Weimer]

Well, no, I have many interested. For some reason, I suppose trouble in the past, here was not as receptive as other places. I blame thee, Woadie!