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Thread: The Roman Empire as a synthesis

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  1. #17
    Now sporting a classic avatar! Member fallen851's Avatar
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    Default Re: The Roman Empire as a synthesis

    Quote Originally Posted by Gaius Sempronius Gracchus View Post

    The question really is, do the majority of people desire power over others? Do the majority of people covet what others have? Empires couldn't work if they did - in fact, the defence you offer for Empires can also be used to defend organised crime, mafias; they are responses to power by the desire for power.
    You're right, this argument can be used to defend organized crime, regardless if a majority of people desire power over others. There only need to be a small number of people who are unchecked in their desire for power over others, and who will stop at nothing to get it. There are some important differences. Organized crime either ends up ruling the state literally, or is kept in check by a police force. There is no police force on the world scale (especially at that time), and thus vast Empires are totally unchecked. Regardless, I think we return to human nature. You're probably familiar with this quote: "Stop quoting law, we carry swords."

    Furthermore, even if an Empire does impoverish it's own people, they are likely better off than if another Empire was subjugating them. That is an important point.

    So the logic is this: Aggressive states that conquer others and form an empire are often more powerful than independent states, and thus assimilate or conquer independent states. The people of conquered states are generally treated worse than the people of victorious states. Thus it is best to the conqueror.
    Last edited by fallen851; 07-16-2013 at 19:07.
    "It's true that when it's looked at isolated, Rome II is a good game... but every time I sit down to play it, every battle, through every turn, I see how Rome I was better. Not unanimously, but ultimately." - Dr. Sane

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