Political Crossfire Forums

[eynon]

Ellron wrote: The roman army was mostly vegetarians during the Republican period not the imperialistic period though.

well, ok to be a stickler they weren't even strickly vegitarian then either....it's just that their rations were, meat's hard to preserve, but I'm sure if a legonarie could get his hands on a chicken or sheep, he'd eat it.

[Prole]

Very nice, eynon81.

21. Before going into battle, generals would need a priest to confirm signs that we had the God's approval. Possible signs include curious cloud formations, specific actions by the sacred chicken, etc.

22. The senate would order entire towns to be annihilated for having some individuals revolt against America. Then, a counter order would be signed, saying it's too harsh. Not because it is too extreme, but because it's good for America.

23. Pictures of Bush in a flight suit with a banner "Mission Accomplished" behind him would be subjects only of praise, not ridicule.

24. All bills and coins would have Bush's face on them.

25. The senate would be 100% rich old white men. (As opposed to now, when it is slightly less).

bob.appleyard wrote: Only the emperor was allowed to wear purple, in part due to its prohibitive costs.
I think some other high class individuals were allowed to wear it; aristocrats I'm pretty certain could wear purple, though for barbarians and freedmen I'm positive no.

[CVN-65]

George W. Bush would be called Emperor and he would have many young boyfriends that would keep him occupied in between the Gladiator games.

:lol:

[Gaea]

Eynon81 wrote: Moot wrote: Dinner would be served on the floor and people would eat with their fingers while reclyning on big pillows.

Baths would be communal. Instead of soap, olive oil is poured over the skin and then scraped off along with the sweat and grime into little jars and then sold as eu d'cologne to high class women.

kinky :wink:

Kinky yes, but true. Except the eu d'cologne was Gladiator grime...which made it all the more special I suppose. But the important thing to remember here is that at least the Roman's took baths. The conquered, especially the Gauls and the Celtic tribes didn't take baths until the Romans showed them how. But then after the Roman's left, they stopped taking baths again, which in turn caused the Dark Ages aka the 'Stinkin' Ages'. That's why the Gauls (French) invented perfume. JK. :lol: But then again....maybe I'm not JK. :lol:

Say, have you ever watched that old show on the History channel called "Connections" ? It's pretty good. So is that old show called, "The History of English". The 'History of English' was extremely enlightening and I highly recommend seeing it.

The ancient Greeks were a lot smarter than the Romans. There is evidence they had invented the battery. Can you imagine, the battery being invented nearly 2500 to 3000 years ago? Just think of the possiblities, if the ancient Greeks had been given the time to actually find uses for the battery. It boggles the mind. But alas, they were conquered by the Romans. In my opinion, if not for the Romans conquering the Greeks, the world would be a lot more advanced, a lot sooner than it is today....by about 2000 years.

The Roman's simply were cheap imitations of the Greeks and not very good one's at that. And I think they knew it too. Look at ancient Roman art. It's stiff and primitive compared to ancient Greek art, yet it is obvious the Romans were trying to copy the Greeks. The level of excellence possessed by ancient Greeks has not been repeated until our own modern time, and I think that's only because of our modern technology and liberalism.

It's strange, but I sense a new Dark Ages coming on.

[Saracen]

If America was like the Roman Empire, Pat Robertson would be dead.

Think Pontius Pilate. :twisted:

[Prole]

Moot wrote: The ancient Greeks were a lot smarter than the Romans. There is evidence they had invented the battery. Can you imagine, the battery being invented nearly 2500 to 3000 years ago? Just think of the possiblities, if the ancient Greeks had been given the time to actually find uses for the battery. It boggles the mind. But alas, they were conquered by the Romans. In my opinion, if not for the Romans conquering the Greeks, the world would be a lot more advanced, a lot sooner than it is today....by about 2000 years.

The Roman's simply were cheap imitations of the Greeks and not very good one's at that. And I think they knew it too. Look at ancient Roman art. It's stiff and primitive compared to ancient Greek art, yet it is obvious the Romans were trying to copy the Greeks. The level of excellence possessed by ancient Greeks has not been repeated until our own modern time, and I think that's only because of our modern technology and liberalism.
The Romans conquered the Greeks about 300 BC. And then just pretty much let them do whatever they damn well pleased, providing they pax taxes. How exactly did the Romans stunt technological growth?

Christianity, on the other hand, which could arguably be construed as a product of the Roman empire, certainly did stunt technological growth, probably by 1200 years or so. Heck, it is still stunting technological growth, though the effect is far less than in previous eras.

[plum]

Prole wrote: Moot wrote: The ancient Greeks were a lot smarter than the Romans. There is evidence they had invented the battery. Can you imagine, the battery being invented nearly 2500 to 3000 years ago? Just think of the possiblities, if the ancient Greeks had been given the time to actually find uses for the battery. It boggles the mind. But alas, they were conquered by the Romans. In my opinion, if not for the Romans conquering the Greeks, the world would be a lot more advanced, a lot sooner than it is today....by about 2000 years.

The Roman's simply were cheap imitations of the Greeks and not very good one's at that. And I think they knew it too. Look at ancient Roman art. It's stiff and primitive compared to ancient Greek art, yet it is obvious the Romans were trying to copy the Greeks. The level of excellence possessed by ancient Greeks has not been repeated until our own modern time, and I think that's only because of our modern technology and liberalism.
The Romans conquered the Greeks about 300 BC. And then just pretty much let them do whatever they damn well pleased, providing they pax taxes. How exactly did the Romans stunt technological growth?

Christianity, on the other hand, which could arguably be construed as a product of the Roman empire, certainly did stunt technological growth, probably by 1200 years or so. Heck, it is still stunting technological growth, though the effect is far less than in previous eras.

In Gibbon's authoritative history of the Roman Empire, he points the rise and spread of Christianity as one of the two most important factors which lead to the decline and eventual collapse of the Roman Empire, (barbarian invasions were the other factor). Interesting I think.

But Greek culture was extremely influencial in the Roman world. Don't forget, while Rome was still nothing but a small city state in Italy, the Greeks were waging far flung wars with Persia, so they had a huge head start. The Romans owe a great deal to the Etruscans, and the Greeks. Particularly the Eastern Empire, which became very Greek in culture.

But the deal with the battery. This is a theory, and it's not anything like the batteries we know. We're talking about a massive contraption which may have generated a few volts.

[bob.appleyard]

Prole wrote: bob.appleyard wrote: Only the emperor was allowed to wear purple, in part due to its prohibitive costs.
I think some other high class individuals were allowed to wear it; aristocrats I'm pretty certain could wear purple, though for barbarians and freedmen I'm positive no.
Purple was THE imperial colour. Not least because, as I said above, it was very expensive to make, and the Romans were quite frugal with things like that. Nobles could have a single stripe of purple in their togae, though. I suppose you could count that, I didn't.

[bob.appleyard]

Prole wrote: Christianity, on the other hand, which could arguably be construed as a product of the Roman empire, certainly did stunt technological growth, probably by 1200 years or so. Heck, it is still stunting technological growth, though the effect is far less than in previous eras.

I somewhat agree with you on Christianity being a product of Rome, but I don't think that it was Christianity which stunted technological advances.

You have to understand that the West suffered deep political traumas from the events surrounding the collapse of central authority. Christianity was a hope for the West in a time of deep uncertainties. That the popes were scheming twerps does not take away from that.

You also have to understand that the most intelligent members of European society at the time were part of the Church. Those who circulated Greek and Latin texts that had been retranslated from Islam, those who began using reason to understand the world (again), those who first challenged the stifling papal dogmas, were all churchmen.

During the period known as the "Twelfth Century Renaissance" (it's a little bit longer than a century, falling either side of the 1100s) more things were invented than in the previous 1,000 years. I could also point you to the serene Gothic cathedrals of Europe. These people were not quite the backwards thugs people make out.

The Church today is a wholly different institution, and should be treated separately.

[gary the cheater]

eynon i totally agree. except with #20.

Eynon81 wrote: 20. Canada would present an annual "gift" of 2500 crates of perscription medicines and 10,000 kegs of beer to honor their "friendship with the peace loving, non-Canada invading, peoples of America". The American people with thank them by building them an aquaduct.

i think canada would be more like greece. all the smart and funny people are from up here, but you have to go to rome to make it big. and we have the gay thing too. bush should build us a bath house, in appreciation for the help he got from canadian f**s, in distracting americans from the reality that he's an absolute s**t president

[Simon De Montfort]

bob.appleyard wrote: Prole wrote: Christianity, on the other hand, which could arguably be construed as a product of the Roman empire, certainly did stunt technological growth, probably by 1200 years or so. Heck, it is still stunting technological growth, though the effect is far less than in previous eras.

I somewhat agree with you on Christianity being a product of Rome, but I don't think that it was Christianity which stunted technological advances.

You have to understand that the West suffered deep political traumas from the events surrounding the collapse of central authority. Christianity was a hope for the West in a time of deep uncertainties. That the popes were scheming twerps does not take away from that.

You also have to understand that the most intelligent members of European society at the time were part of the Church. Those who circulated Greek and Latin texts that had been retranslated from Islam, those who began using reason to understand the world (again), those who first challenged the stifling papal dogmas, were all churchmen.

During the period known as the "Twelfth Century Renaissance" (it's a little bit longer than a century, falling either side of the 1100s) more things were invented than in the previous 1,000 years. I could also point you to the serene Gothic cathedrals of Europe. These people were not quite the backwards thugs people make out.

The Church today is a wholly different institution, and should be treated separately.

Well said.

It's amazing how people still hold on to 18th century anti-Christian propoganda as truth.

[Simon De Montfort]

gary the cheater wrote: eynon i totally agree. except with #20.

Eynon81 wrote: 20. Canada would present an annual "gift" of 2500 crates of perscription medicines and 10,000 kegs of beer to honor their "friendship with the peace loving, non-Canada invading, peoples of America". The American people with thank them by building them an aquaduct.

i think canada would be more like greece. all the smart and funny people are from up here, but you have to go to rome to make it big. and we have the gay thing too. bush should build us a bath house, in appreciation for the help he got from canadian f**s, in distracting americans from the reality that he's an absolute s**t president

This was supposed to be a humor thread ... troll.

If all the smart and funny people are from Canada then why do they have to come to America to make a living? Aren't you guys "smart enough" to keep your own talent? I guess not.

Shortest book in the world. "The List of Great Canadian Inventions."

[LostSoul3412]

26. The British Army would have used elephants to march over the Appalachians against Washington D.C. in the war of 1812.

28. Native Americans would strike back and force the county to collapse.

29. The popular vote would be discarded, and Senators would be elected by "Electors" alone... wait...

30. All currency would be reprinted every time a new president came to power.

31. Borrowing foreign war tactics, Iraq would be conquered by a wooden rabbit.

32. "Corporal Punishment" would be the top show on television.

33. Death sentences would be issued for parking violations.

34. The entire Amazon rain forest would be cut down and shipped to America (some historians speculate that the Sahara was a vast forest, but was cut down by the Romans and turned to desert).

35. Social Security would start paying benefits at age 30.

[gary the cheater]

Simon De Montfort wrote: gary the cheater wrote: eynon i totally agree. except with #20.

Eynon81 wrote: 20. Canada would present an annual "gift" of 2500 crates of perscription medicines and 10,000 kegs of beer to honor their "friendship with the peace loving, non-Canada invading, peoples of America". The American people with thank them by building them an aquaduct.

i think canada would be more like greece. all the smart and funny people are from up here, but you have to go to rome to make it big. and we have the gay thing too. bush should build us a bath house, in appreciation for the help he got from canadian f**s, in distracting americans from the reality that he's an absolute s**t president

This was supposed to be a humor thread ... troll.

If all the smart and funny people are from Canada then why do they have to come to America to make a living? Aren't you guys "smart enough" to keep your own talent? I guess not.

Shortest book in the world. "The List of Great Canadian Inventions."


talented people move in all directions. if you had any you'd know that.

[Quicksurf]

Sounds fun.

[DD7]

America is the incarnation of the Roman Empire.

[Simon De Montfort]

gary the cheater wrote: Simon De Montfort wrote: gary the cheater wrote: eynon i totally agree. except with #20.

Eynon81 wrote: 20. Canada would present an annual "gift" of 2500 crates of perscription medicines and 10,000 kegs of beer to honor their "friendship with the peace loving, non-Canada invading, peoples of America". The American people with thank them by building them an aquaduct.

i think canada would be more like greece. all the smart and funny people are from up here, but you have to go to rome to make it big. and we have the gay thing too. bush should build us a bath house, in appreciation for the help he got from canadian f**s, in distracting americans from the reality that he's an absolute s**t president

This was supposed to be a humor thread ... troll.

If all the smart and funny people are from Canada then why do they have to come to America to make a living? Aren't you guys "smart enough" to keep your own talent? I guess not.

Shortest book in the world. "The List of Great Canadian Inventions."


talented people move in all directions. if you had any you'd know that.

Yes, they usually leave the back waters (like Canada) for more developed places (like America).

Not only do you troll a humor thread you make personal attacks. :roll:

I know you're bitter about living in our shadow but please keep the trolling to a minimum.

[Gdawg007]

Please refrain from making personal attacks. Thanks.

[eynon]

LostSoul3412 wrote: 28. Native Americans would strike back and force the county to collapse.

actually it'd be the Vietnamese :wink:

You see after the great plauge of 2037 and the assasination of Clinton III by her personal trainer/lesbian lover the country would fall into nearly a century of civil-war. The New Emperor who won would divide the US in 2 and declare the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster as the offical state religion.

The Western part of the nation would be occupied and divided among nomadic tribes of South-east Asians, who escaped subjugation at Americas hands centuries earlier through their use of guerrilla tatics.

The Eastern part would carry on for about another 1000 years before eventually being conquered by the Bulgarians around the year 3454 :wink:

[bob.appleyard]

Eynon81 wrote: LostSoul3412 wrote: 28. Native Americans would strike back and force the county to collapse.

actually it'd be the Vietnamese :wink:

You see after the great plauge of 2037 and the assasination of Clinton III by her personal trainer/lesbian lover the country would fall into nearly a century of civil-war. The New Emperor who won would divide the US in 2 and declare the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster as the offical state religion.

The Western part of the nation would be occupied and divided among nomadic tribes of South-east Asians, who escaped subjugation at Americas hands centuries earlier through their use of guerrilla tatics.

The Eastern part would carry on for about another 1000 years before eventually being conquered by the Bulgarians around the year 3454 :wink:

Hehehe