The fall of the Roman Empire vs America

[Test boy]

Stumpy, the Vikings discovered North America a few hundred years before Columbus. I suspect they were wiped out by an Indian uprising.

 

[DonkeyPunch]

I also like the comparisons drawn between America and the fall of Rome with regards to entertainment.

As Rome grew more and more powerful, its entertainment became more gruesome and all-encompasing. The matches at the Colliseum and Circus Maximus became more and more bloody, while people spent a higher proportion of their time following the "stars" of the day and attending events. I see parallels in the US with regards to our movie star/athlete/etc hero worhsip and the fact that our diversions seem to be getting more brutal (UFC, toughest man competitions, movies, TV etc.). It seems that as the "elite" become even more gruesome in their exploits, the rest of us grow progressively weaker, believing that we are not capable of such "acts of heroism." Some believe that these bloody diversions led to a general "pussifying" of Rome.

 

[chesty]

Interesting point. I can see how that could be. As for America being an Empire, whatever the definition, we closely parallel the Roman Empire. That is the point.

Of course things are different but so is the time. That does not remove the basic underlying principles that I am discussing.

As I have said, the parallels are great. How we are remembered by history will be determined by what we do today.

 

[TxCollegeguy]

Good Thread Chesty....Once again I want to state that the U.S. is a Republic not a democracy(SP?)

Not everyone is involved in making the decesions for this country we elect people to do that for us...hence making us a Republic


I think Communication, Corruption, and a overall lazy attitude lead the Romans to Fail themselves.

They didn't do enough for the people of the lands they conquered which did nothing to help their Armies. I personally would have expanded more into Africa and Used the Clan systems there to gather more men for Fighting back in Europe and Central Asia

 

[Stumpy (The Fucking dumbass Piece of Shit!)]

Stumpy, the Vikings discovered North America a few hundred years before Columbus. I suspect they were wiped out by an Indian uprising.

You're absolutely right. The Vikings were the first Europeans in North America, some four to five centuries prior to Columbus. As you've pointed out, they didn't last that long. There were too many conflicts with the Skraelings (American Natives) and contact was not maintained with the chieftains back home. But their sagas lived on.

I think most agree that 1492 is seen as the date that marks the coming of the Global Age (i.e. continuity in exchange between the Old World and the New World). Not to say that the Viking expeditions were insignificant, but their links with their colonies in Vinland, Markland, and Helluland were not maintained. Permanent settlement of these North American colonies, therefore, was not possible. Their contact with Greenland was broken after 1400 due to climactic changes, and the discovery soon faded from memory.

 

[chesty]

That may well be true of the Vikings, but how is that related to the correlations of Roman Empire and America?

 

[Stumpy (The Fucking dumbass Piece of Shit!)]

That may well be true of the Vikings, but how is that related to the correlations of Roman Empire and America?

Sorry, I got carried away. Your thread - your rules.

 

[chesty]

Not a problem, I just want to try and keep it on track. Seems there are some interesting theories and this has been the most interesting discussion in a while. Especially since there are no personal insults and attacks.

 

[nikolai_bolkov]

Don't forget that one of the main reasons for the fall of the romans was from the constant attacks from the barbarians, or Vandals, from the North.

Terrorists = Vandals.

 

[chesty]

So true!