Caesar

I'm sorry, it might not have been in Caesar's books, I have read a ton of books on Roman history, including first sources, and I believe I caught something regarding the use of dog scouts. Caesar's books popped into my mind because I read "Civil War" most recently!

I tremendously enjoyed the movie Cleopatra, made in the 1990's with Billy Zane and Timothy Dalton, although from what I understand it was not as historically accurate as it was entertaining. But, you do get the general feel of the times from the movie, in my opinion.

Hmm, I don't have any specific sources, but from what I can remember from reading Caesars books (Gaul, Civil War, etc.) there was mention of using dogs as scouts, and camp gaurds.

It is an interesting point you bring up. It is true, that there has always been a subculture, eroding away at mainstream values and traditions. And you are right, when it comes to people in the modern age criminalizing all modern bad behavior that in the past was considered okay. For example, in the 1920's and 30's, many respectable people were involved with Opium and other stimulants, but at that time, it was not considered to be harmful, and therefore was for the most part not considered "subcultural." However, what to me indicates ethical erosion is when we realize that certain behavior is bad, and yet we continue doing it. And drug use has risen in the past few decades, even with the information we have now! IMHO, there are most deffinetly periods of greatness, and periods of depression in civilization and history. Compare the era of the Romans to the dark ages for example. While the Romans commited many "barbaric" acts in their time, the actual amount of death and destruction was on a much greater scale after the collapse. I think this can also be applied to modern times, with our world experiencing similar changes in history, just in a different, and more subtle way.

I like this idea. It would be kind of fun to re-enact certain aspects of Roman life in the forums. I don't mean like a Roleplay type of thing, although that certainly would be interesting in its own right! Good idea!

This is a very interesting topic. One of the things I consider most important in studying history, is the question "why." Why do we study history? I personally, see studying history as a way of taking what was best in humanity's past, and using it to create a better future. When we look at the Roman Empire, we admire and discuss the best elements that they had to offer, because we can use those as guidelines and foundations for the history we will create. When we discuss the worse elements of Roman history however, the point is to understand the conditions and reasons for why things occured, so that we may insure they do not happen again. This way, we take the best of what history has to offer, but leave the worse out of the picture.

One of the most notable things that marked the fall of the Roman Empire, were the change in attitudes that occured in its decline. It was noticeable for example, that Roman citizens began to lose pride in their empire, and there existed a near complete absence of what we now call nationalism. There also was a sharp increase in alcohol consumption, and a boom of prostitution and crime in major cities. People began to lose their enthusiasm, and when Rome attempted a counter campaign against the Barbarians in northern Gaul, it was badly received by the people, many even protesting or speaking out against the campaign. It is interesting to note the similarity between that, and what is currently occuring in many nations, most notably the United States. A sharp decrease in nationalism in the 1960's, accompanied by sharp rises in crime, drug use, and prostitution, is very similar to what was seen in Rome before its collapse. This, I believe, provides a strong link between cultural decay, and the collapse of civilizations. Does anyone else see this link? What other factors are common between nations in decay? And what could the Romans have done, and what can we do, to end such decay?

Awesome post! Very well said!

From what I understand, it was less race, and more how "Romanized" you were that determined your treatment.

I would have to go with Legion X. They were very succesful, and made up of some of the best soldiers the Empire had to offer.

Actually, since the Roman military drew from all of its territories, there were said to be a number of African-Romans in the Legions. Supposedly, a number of the officers in the African provinces were natives that were Romanized.

I would have to argue for Gaul. It was a key point in the invasions of Spain and Brittania, a resource heavy region, and later a strongly Romanized cultural center.

Deffinetly Julius Caesar (Cant you tell from my post name?) He was not only a man of the people who challenged the inefficent corrupt senate, but he was a heroic soldier, military leader, and even champion of the arts and sciences. Second to him, I would have to say Marius.