Salvete,
Quite surprising and disappointing, no one has answered this question. Perhaps a topic too boring, too obvious for our American friends to go into at great length and detail? Or doesn't anyone have an opinion here? I can hardly imagine it
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Anyway. Here's mine then. I hope it will get some minds working and some keyboards typing
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The US has been compared with the Roman Empire for reasons which are at first sight obvious. Both are centralised "empires", shall we say, with a dominant influence over the world. The main language of both is a world language. Additionally, just like the Roman Empire the US is on an economical and military level a super power as well. The fact that they have also grown over the centuries would be another interesting element for comparison. Proponents of the US and their foreign politics propagate a "Pax Americana" in which the US uses its power according for its own benefits and to keep things in relative stability. Opponents of the US point out the Romans' aggressiveness and imperialism as a factor which is also present in the US. With regards to politics, one might even say that the two dominant factions in republican Rome live on in the two major parties in the US.
I personally don't think this is a very suitable comparison. I think on basis of the above, the US could be compared to any empire, or any western emprire (the 19th century French, the 16th century Spanish, the 18th century British) could be compared to the Roman Empire. Because in a way, each great empire in the west that came after the Romans consciously imitated facets of it, so this would not be a unique American trait. Secondly, there is a difference in which the US acquired its territories and the way in which Rome did. Rome did not start out as a colony that gained independence from the motherland (unless you accept the theory that the Etruscans founded Rome) and then expanded westwards by buying land and fighting wars with native people who were rather outnumbered. The Romans fought wars against densely populated regions as well as regions with a low population.
I think a comparison between the US and the Attic-Delian Naval Bound would be much more suitable. I'll explain why in another posting... Feel free to comment on this one already! Especially our American friends!!
Valete bene,
Draco
Gn. Dionysius Draco Invictus