How 'Roman' was the Roman Empire?

[Maion Maroneios]

Children that were the product of rape were universally considered bastards. I don't know any society that actually welcomed them or treated them like the rest of the population. And if you think of it, half-breeds were generally (and sometimes still are) viewed with suspicion. I myself am a halfbreed, but due to the fact that my father is Greek I'm respected. At University, I have a fellow student whose father if african and mother Greek. I hear only racist remarks from people who don't know him (and he's a fairly nice and quitet guy, BTW).

It's sad, but it's true. Even more so back those days when race and tribe played an important role and xenophobia was generally more the norm than the exception. I hardly doubt the best way to integrate a newly conquered area is to "rape the shit out everything". This would only lead to a deep hatred against the conquering force, creating a "wound" that may take many generations to heal. The best way to integrate and absorb a conquered area, is to allow them autonomy and slowly introcuce [non violent] customs of your own. Slowly expose them to your culture, until they are deeply affected by it.

Maion