How did the Roman Empire last so long? - Page 2

John D Harris · 02-13-2004, 12:18 AM

A standing Army that could and DID kick anybody's Rear end that it met in the field, with relatively few exceptions, and a goverment that allowed for the governed to have a measure of sucess.

Keep it's people protected, full, and happy.

John D Harris · 02-13-2004, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Djinn Raffo:
Rome was founded by two twins raised by wolves.

Romulus and Remus wasn't it?

the new JR Jansen · 02-13-2004, 12:29 AM

Besides all that they used a very simple way of 'defeating' their enemies. In a lot of the cases they used the 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' tactic. They would form alliances with local tribes who were not too happy with another one and gave them better weapons and support in defeating their enemies. Not all Roman terretories were 'conquered' you know.

[ 02-13-2004, 12:30 AM: Message edited by: the new JR Jansen ]

Djinn Raffo · 02-13-2004, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by John D Harris:

quote:
Originally posted by Djinn Raffo:
Rome was founded by two twins raised by wolves.

Romulus and Remus wasn't it? [/QUOTE]That's right.

Night Stalker · 02-13-2004, 01:45 AM

One word ..... commerce. That's why it lasted so long. The Romans took the time to develop and harded trade routes. Many roads today in Europe were Roman. While their military might was impressive, and the governmental structure that they set up in their conquered lands help expand and settle the empire, it was their vast infrastructure that solidified the gains the army would bring. Everyone thinks of Romes military conquests, but it was their strength in trade, and waste management that enabled Rome to grow to it's vast size and maintain that size for about a milienia. Don't forget that the Eastern Empire endured long after the ravages of the Huns and the Goths and the fall of the Western Empire.

WillowIX · 02-13-2004, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by John D Harris:
Romulus and Remus wasn't it?

No that's StarTrek. We're talking about Rome here. [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Cloudy, LLAO!

Faceman · 02-13-2004, 06:27 PM

There are several founding myths about Rome. The official one was the Romulus-Remus story.
Another extremely popular myth considered Rome to be founded by Aeneas the Trojan hero who survived and fled Troy to rebuild its heritage.
Later on these myths were synchronized and Aeneas son Ascanius (a.k.a. Iulus) was named as the founder of Alba Longa and its line of kings, which Romulus and Remus originated from.

But onto the historic question. It was a lot easier to keep up a big empire back then, because the idea of Nationalism was not fully developed and not very widespread. Rome was the superior military and (after beating Carthago) mercantile power of the mediterranean area. They did not interfere with the religion of the captured peoples and brought them organized government. Don't forget, that if your living in an authoritarian system anyway (as was the rule back then) there is not much point in overthrowing your new rulers, just because they are outsiders. Politics and empires were not formed by the people back then, Greeks were Egypt Pharaos, Phoenicians ruled Mauretania and Spain and the Romans just took over the whole mediterranean because they played this power-game most professionally.

Timber Loftis · 02-13-2004, 08:12 PM

Nice posts, Faceman and Night Stalker.

02-13-2004, 12:18 AM	#11
John D Harris Ninja Storm Shadow Join Date: March 27, 2001 Location: Northport,Alabama, USA Age: 63 Posts: 3,577	A standing Army that could and DID kick anybody's Rear end that it met in the field, with relatively few exceptions, and a goverment that allowed for the governed to have a measure of sucess. Keep it's people protected, full, and happy. __________________ Crustiest of the OLD COOTS "Donating mirrors for years to help the Liberal/Socialist find their collective rear-ends, because both hands doesn't seem to be working. Veitnam 61-65:KIA 1864 66:KIA 5008 67:KIA 9378 68:KIA 14594 69:KIA 9414 70:KIA 4221 71:KIA 1380 72:KIA 300 Afghanistan2001-2008 KIA 585 2009-2012 KIA 1465 and counting Davros 1 Much abliged Massachusetts

02-13-2004, 12:29 AM	#13
the new JR Jansen Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: May 8, 2002 Location: chocolate land Age: 50 Posts: 696	Besides all that they used a very simple way of 'defeating' their enemies. In a lot of the cases they used the 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' tactic. They would form alliances with local tribes who were not too happy with another one and gave them better weapons and support in defeating their enemies. Not all Roman terretories were 'conquered' you know. [ 02-13-2004, 12:30 AM: Message edited by: the new JR Jansen ] __________________ JR<br /><br /><br /><br />It\'s me. The guy with the cloak big enough for a fire giant and the long nose.<br />Owner of the most visited woodshed in Ironworks\' history.

02-13-2004, 01:45 AM	#15
Night Stalker Lord Ao Join Date: June 24, 2002 Location: Nevernever Land Age: 51 Posts: 2,002	One word ..... commerce. That's why it lasted so long. The Romans took the time to develop and harded trade routes. Many roads today in Europe were Roman. While their military might was impressive, and the governmental structure that they set up in their conquered lands help expand and settle the empire, it was their vast infrastructure that solidified the gains the army would bring. Everyone thinks of Romes military conquests, but it was their strength in trade, and waste management that enabled Rome to grow to it's vast size and maintain that size for about a milienia. Don't forget that the Eastern Empire endured long after the ravages of the Huns and the Goths and the fall of the Western Empire. __________________ [url]\"http://www.duryea.org/pinky/gurkin.wav\" target=\"_blank\">AYPWIP?</a> .... <img border=\"0\" alt=\"[1ponder]\" title=\"\" src=\"graemlins/1ponder.gif\" /> <br />\"I think so Brain, but isn\'t a cucumber that small called a gherkin?\"<br /><br />Shut UP! Pinky!

02-13-2004, 06:27 PM	#17
Faceman Hathor Join Date: February 18, 2002 Location: Vienna Age: 43 Posts: 2,248	There are several founding myths about Rome. The official one was the Romulus-Remus story. Another extremely popular myth considered Rome to be founded by Aeneas the Trojan hero who survived and fled Troy to rebuild its heritage. Later on these myths were synchronized and Aeneas son Ascanius (a.k.a. Iulus) was named as the founder of Alba Longa and its line of kings, which Romulus and Remus originated from. But onto the historic question. It was a lot easier to keep up a big empire back then, because the idea of Nationalism was not fully developed and not very widespread. Rome was the superior military and (after beating Carthago) mercantile power of the mediterranean area. They did not interfere with the religion of the captured peoples and brought them organized government. Don't forget, that if your living in an authoritarian system anyway (as was the rule back then) there is not much point in overthrowing your new rulers, just because they are outsiders. Politics and empires were not formed by the people back then, Greeks were Egypt Pharaos, Phoenicians ruled Mauretania and Spain and the Romans just took over the whole mediterranean because they played this power-game most professionally. __________________ \"I am forever spellbound by the frailty of life\"<br /><br /> Faceman

02-13-2004, 08:12 PM	#18
Timber Loftis 40th Level Warrior Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 11,916	Nice posts, Faceman and Night Stalker. __________________

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