Fun Topic [Who would you like to be conquered by?]

[artavazd]

Ok. If you had no choice but to be conquered by an empire/kingdom, which empire would you want to be conquered by. Also which empire would you least want to be conquered by. Please explain your answers.


If I had no choice but to be conquered it would be pre-Islamic Iran ( Persians Parthians) Seems to me they respected the customes and cultures of people.

The least would be the Seljuks/Ottomans. I just dont think I would be happy to see my children given off as a Dervish tax to the Sultan.

[Zett]

Also which empire would you least want to be conquered by.

Thats easy, Romanoi. Ceterum censeo Romam esse delendam

And about the one that I want to be conquered by, something Hellenic. Perhaps by Arche Seleukeia or Ptolemaioi. But my favourite faction would be Makedonia.
PS. I always play KH, so I want to stay Hellenic.

[Maion Maroneios]

Wouldn't want to be qonqueed by: Celtic/Germanic factions. Why? I believe it's obvious...
Would want to be conqured by: The Koinon maybe, or some other Greek faction. Especially AS or Ptolemaioi, because I would probably be offered a high position because of my Greek heritge. Plus, I favour the Greek way of life.

Maion

[Lucio Domicio Aureliano]

Would want to be conquered by: Romani. Usually they allowed the local aristocracy to remain ruling; generally didn´t impose their culture and last, but no least, the graeco-roman empire lasted the longer.
If not the romans, one of the Hellenes
Woundn´t want to be conquered by: Barbarians

[artavazd]

Thats easy, Romanoi. Ceterum censeo Romam esse delendam

And about the one that I want to be conquered by, something Hellenic. Perhaps by Arche Seleukeia or Ptolemaioi. But my favourite faction would be Makedonia.
PS. I always play KH, so I want to stay Hellenic.

Dont forget, Im not asking which historical culture you like today. Dont think of it as looking through the eyes of a 21st century person. Think of it you being a simple person in that era. Now you say you would want to be conquered by something Hellenic. That would be nice if you yourself were Hellenic. If you were not Hellenic it wouldnt be that nice being conquered by a Hellenic empire. Remember the spread of Hellenistic ideas and customs? Well if you didnt want to give up your own all of those Hellenisitc customs would be forced on you, or you would just be dealt with. Anyways Im enjoying reading peoples responses. Keep them coming.

[Zeibek]

The least would be the Seljuks/Ottomans. I just dont think I would be happy to see my children given off as a Dervish tax to the Sultan.

Actually it's called Devşirme... And the Ottomans weren't that bad governors, they were far more tolerant of other religions than most regimes in history, especially when compared to their contemporaries. Also boys levied by devşirme ended up in very high positions in the court, and by the 1500s wielded more influence than the Turkic nobility. BTW Unlike my name might suggest I'm not actually Turkish so there's no nationalism involved in this or anything...

Would want to be conquered by: Probably Achaemenid Persia, they were very tolerant of their subjects' customs, and often allowed vanquished kings to become members of the Royal court (think Croesus of Lydia).


Wouldn't want to be conquered by: Rome or any other power that is likely to eradicate my own cultural identity through bribery and clever policies.

[artavazd]

Actually it's called Devşirme... And the Ottomans weren't that bad governors, they were far more tolerant of other religions than most regimes in history, especially when compared to their contemporaries. Also boys levied by devşirme ended up in very high positions in the court, and by the 1500s wielded more influence than the Turkic nobility. BTW Unlike my name might suggest I'm not actually Turkish so there's no nationalism involved in this or anything...
Would want to be conquered by: Probably Achaemenid Persia, they were very tolerant of their subjects' customs, and often allowed vanquished kings to become members of the Royal court (think Croesus of Lydia).


Wouldn't want to be conquered by: Rome or any other power that is likely to eradicate my own cultural identity through bribery and clever policies.

Well the issue isnt how a high position the boys ended up as, the issue is they were stolen from their parents, and raised with foreign customs and a foreign religion. Thus becoming Turkified. Now imagine yourself being a non Muslim subject of the Ottomans and having your kids stolen from you. Would you care if your son would become someone in a high position later on? I wont. Also according to Ottoman law, inorder for a witness to be consider a witness they had to be Muslim. So once again imagine you are a non Muslim subject of the Ottomans, and a crime was commited toward you. If there are no Muslim witnesses every other witnesses has no worth. Very few people who were under the yoke of Ottomans have pleasant thoughts about it. Im not just talking about Non Muslim subjects either. Arabs (Syrians, Iraqis ect.) who were under Ottoman yoke hardly have pleasant thoughts either.

[A Terribly Harmful Name]

Being conquered by Rome is actually very good. Most areas of the world at that time had at best rudimentary water supply and sanitation systems all across the board. Which means that a Romanized people would likely have to face a bad governor sometimes, but would get fancy acqueducts providing water 24/7 (a luxury even for recent standards), and all sorts of luxury and marble buildings (nothing beats high civilization ), plus protection from the legions. It's one of the reasons why everything started to crumble when the centralized defense began to crumble: people were too comfortable under the Pax Romana to ever grasp of bearing arms.

I would never like to be conquered by any barbarian people. Especially the Sweboz.

[Hax]

I don't know. Maybe Nazi Germany

I'd rather not be conquered at all; but if I had a choice in the matter I'd probably go with Achaemenid Persia. Or the Fatimid Caliphate.

[Tollheit]

Wouldn't want to be qonqueed by: Celtic/Germanic factions. Why? I believe it's obvious...

Soap?

[Nachtmeister]

I don't know. Maybe Nazi Germany

I'd rather not be conquered at all; but if I had a choice in the matter I'd probably go with Achaemenid Persia. Or the Fatimid Caliphate.

That's interesting - I wouldn't mind being conquered by Soviet Russia. Unless they interfeared with German super-efficiency, of course. But that's what they were all about, so - yea, and I'd want full access to all Careers, based upon fitness, diligence and capability (modern German armed forces motto). Meaning no anti-german racism or political bias blocking careers.
According to the official ethics, it was the best state so far - although sadly corrupt bureaucrats and faked heroes undermined what Marx and Lenin had in mind.
New Mother Russia! Red stars for the win!! Smite all enemies of equality and hard work with the apocalyptic hammer of your superior Forces! Cut them down with your sickle, the mighty AK74!! T90!! MIG29!! MilMi24!! YEAAAA...

I would fight to the death (theirs or mine) to resist conquest by any religion-based state.
Or any state that would attempt to even in the slightest way interfere with German identity.

[Aemilius Paulus]

Well, I go with the Roman Empire, for obvious reasons. Either early- to mid- Roman Empire ( no later than 300 CE), or Early to Middle Republic. Life was the best under those two periods. Very fair and lawful too. There is a reason why the Roman code of law still stands today with but minor changes and additions. And I am choosing from the EB period. I am also choosing nations that have been large empires. Sweden might be a nice place to live in today, but no idea as to how it will handle an empire...

[A Terribly Harmful Name]

Living under Swedish yoke was certainly better than living under Russian yoke. Ask Estonia or Latvia for example .

EDIT - And the fact that Code Justinian was adopted by Medieval powers means they were most influenced by Roman traditions, not necessarily because it was better for them. Indeed, in some aspects it just didn't fit them well.

[Silence Hunter]

Well first of all I would like to stay independant, but if I had to choose it would be:

To be conquered by: Carthage. Why? Because you have pretty much an autonomy on most of the areas, can retain your culture, religion and social structure. Plus increased trade opportunities and a chance to get a good post in the military.

Not to be conquered by: Huns. Not much was left after their conquests...

[Hax]

I would fight to the death (theirs or mine) to resist conquest by any religion-based state.
Or any state that would attempt to even in the slightest way interfere with German identity.

Don't you think that's awfully easy to say, sitting behind a desk in a warm house?

[Nachtmeister]

Don't you think that's awfully easy to say, sitting behind a desk in a warm house?

If I had never been in the army, yes. But as I have had my experience I can say I would fight with some credibility. Although you can not prove or disprove this of course, so your opinion on my post is your business.

[Maion Maroneios]

Soap?

Ha-ha Tollheit

Maion

[Aemilius Paulus]

EDIT - And the fact that Code Justinian was adopted by Medieval powers means they were most influenced by Roman traditions, not necessarily because it was better for them. Indeed, in some aspects it just didn't fit them well.

I disagree. I am studying for a lawyer, and my father is a lawyer himself. We have discussed Roman law on numerous occasions ourselves. He has the very good knowledge of the law, while I have the history knowledge. And anyway, got anything better? Seriously, there has been so many law reforms aimed at improving our law, all throughout centuries, and yet it is still largely unchanged. Do you think you are smarter than all those lines of lawmakers?? The code was better for everyone. Culture does not have much to do with it.

To be conquered by: Carthage. Why? Because you have pretty much an autonomy on most of the areas, can retain your culture, religion and social structure. Plus increased trade opportunities and a chance to get a good post in the military.

Arguably, the Roman Empire provided all those things with much better quality/intensity. The Romans were after all renowned throughout history to be very tolerant of foreign cultures, and I would say that having all of the Mediterranean under a control of a single nation is much more receptive to trade (pax Romana anyone??), as is having such a large Empire with its need for soldier is more receptive to a career in the armed forces. IMHO, the Roman Empire provided all that you listed under the Karthadastim much better. Not to mention, I would hate having those Carthiginians for competition in my trading business...

[gammager2]

That's interesting - I wouldn't mind being conquered by Soviet Russia. Unless they interfeared with German super-efficiency, of course. But that's what they were all about, so - yea, and I'd want full access to all Careers, based upon fitness, diligence and capability (modern German armed forces motto). Meaning no anti-german racism or political bias blocking careers.
According to the official ethics, it was the best state so far - although sadly corrupt bureaucrats and faked heroes undermined what Marx and Lenin had in mind.
New Mother Russia! Red stars for the win!! Smite all enemies of equality and hard work with the apocalyptic hammer of your superior Forces! Cut them down with your sickle, the mighty AK74!! T90!! MIG29!! MilMi24!! YEAAAA...

I would fight to the death (theirs or mine) to resist conquest by any religion-based state.
Or any state that would attempt to even in the slightest way interfere with German identity.

marx's ideas were well meaning but he overestimated human generosity when he spoke of from each according to his ability and to each according to his need. Lenin twisted marxism into a state that was totalitarian state, not one that would wither away. Theocracies arent all bad, it just depends on how eager they are to get you to convert. of course, believe what you want, but id die before living in the USSR. i wouldnt mind being conquered by Saladin's forces because he had common decency and didnt usually slaughter Christians.

[waydog98]

i think being subjugated by alexander during his conquest wouldnt be too bad.. he even let some nations retain their kingdoms and treated foreign commanders with kindness and dignity

[Aemilius Paulus]

but id die before living in the USSR.

A shame you are so unwise... USSR, take Stalin aside (everyone despises his Georgian behind), was a pretty good place. Socialism is not so scary y'know. Look at Europe today.

Americans just seem to have an inbred, automatic loathing of socialism/communism that supersedes logic and all else. Oh well, can't blame them after the Cold War is guess...

[desert]

Quality of life in the Soviet Union was never very high...and why do you keep mentioning Stalin's Georgian ancestry? What does that have to do with anything? Quite a few people still love him and refer to him as "Great Father", etc. This doesn't even belong here.

[soup_alex]

Aemilius, are you some kind of pinko, or something? ;)

[Bucefalo]

Would want to be conquered by Megas Alexandros...he would just stay here for a while, do minimal harm and then he would go on with his conquests...go ahead boy get yourself killed by the way. If not Alexandros then probably Carthage.

Wouldn't want to be conquered by any steppe nomad, from scythians to mongols, any of those... I really can´t stand how they smell Well really, i think they are quite scaring and uncivilized.

[Aemilius Paulus]

Mods, please delete the last couple of posts, including this one, on politics instead of locking this thread. I am sorry, I should have realised my post would lead to such discussion. As to the rest of posters, I suggest steering away from politics. I do not know if it is possible, given the mildly political slant of this thread, but we must stay in pre-1900's history, for any more posts on USSR will lead to more politics.

[Aemilius Paulus]

Would want to be conquered by Megas Alexandros...he would just stay here for a while, do minimal harm and then he would go on with his conquests...go ahead boy get yourself killed by the way. If not Alexandros then probably Carthage.

Wouldn't want to be conquered by any steppe nomad, from scythians to mongols, any of those... I really can´t stand how they smell Well really, i think they are quite scaring and uncivilized.

Back on topic: Well, MA had quite a bit of splendid ideas, but no telling how he would govern. A shame he died so early. THey do however say that governing is always much, much more difficult than conquering.

As for Mongols, they were actually quite beneficial as I have been taught in my Advanced Placement World History class. According to the teacher (with no less than a PhD) and the textbook, they instituted a form of pax romana and were very tolerant of other cultures, letting each govern itself with only the most minor supervision. From the political aspects, the Mongols were the best conquerors, after they got done with the conquering of course :P Since they were not much into administrative/political aspects, they instituted this laissez-faire type rule.

[desert]

The thing about the Mongols is that their initial invasions devastated the local infrastructure and, to put it bluntly, killed a lot of dudes. Like the time they slaughtered 1 million Iranians in about 5 minutes. They lined them up and started swinging their swords on cue, and throughout the lands a voice boomed "M-m-m-monster kill! Killionare! Killtrocity! Killimanjaro!"

Alexander was more interested in conquering than governing, and wanted to be "the very best, like no one ever was. To battle foes is my real test, to conquer is my cauuuuse. I will travel across the lands, burning far and wiiide, first Africa, then Europe too, and maybe even Oooooz!" (Yes, I know it doesn't rhyme...)

I would not really have cared who conquered me, as a lowly peasant often never even learned that he was now under another faction's jurisdiction until weeks or months after the fact, and the most I would ever see of them is a tax man every few months or years who would arrive to pick up a quota of crops.

[A Very Super Market]

Yeah, the mongols would create a short time when it was absolute hell, and then leave you alone. Mostly because there weren't nearly enough mongols to fight as infantry in a crowded city.

[A Terribly Harmful Name]

I disagree. I am studying for a lawyer, and my father is a lawyer himself. We have discussed Roman law on numerous occasions ourselves. He has the very good knowledge of the law, while I have the history knowledge. And anyway, got anything better? Seriously, there has been so many law reforms aimed at improving our law, all throughout centuries, and yet it is still largely unchanged. Do you think you are smarter than all those lines of lawmakers?? The code was better for everyone. Culture does not have much to do with it.

There are still many aspects of law that don't make sense at all many times or were not properly adapted from the old Classical or Byzantine mean. Laws are more than often a matter of tradition: certain witchcraft, feudalistic, heresy laws et all were not abolished until recently despite being ignored or useless for centuries.

[Aemilius Paulus]

There are still many aspects of law that don't make sense at all many times or were not properly adapted from the old Classical or Byzantine mean. Laws are more than often a matter of tradition: certain witchcraft, feudalistic, heresy laws et all were not abolished until recently despite being ignored or useless for centuries.

I do not quite think you have any facts behind you. I even doubt you have ever read the law codices. They are quite a bore to the vast majority of people. Therefore, I will decline to debate on this. Unless, of course, you are well-informed in these matters.