Ancient Rome: A History From Beginning to End (Ancient Civilizations), by Hourly History.

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ANCIENT ROME: A HISTORY

FROM BEGINNING TO END

(ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS),

HOURLY HISTORY.

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"In the beginning, Rome was under the control of the Etruscans, an ancient and advanced society in their own right. ... "

Very badly written, in that author defines nothing of either. What exactly does it mean when he says Rome, or Etruscan? Neither timings nor regions are defined.

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"Nero Claudius Caesar was to be the last of the Julian dynasty of emperors, and his rule was to rival that of his predecessor Caligula in infamy. As he was only 17 when he was made emperor, the first several years of his rule left the power in the hands of his advisors: the philosopher Seneca, the prefect Burrus, and his mother, Agrippina.

"When Nero did take an active role in government, it was to murder his stepbrother and rival for the throne, Brittanicus; order his mother stabbed to death; exile and execute his wife, Octavia; and marry his friend’s wife, Poppaea Sabina. Eventually, his new wife also became a victim of his rage when he kicked her to death.

"The most lasting story we have about Nero surrounds the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE. Three of Rome’s fourteen districts were utterly destroyed. Rumors at the time abounded that Nero had started the fire himself to clear land in the center of Rome in order to build a new palace. It is also rumored that Nero watched the fire from the roof of his palace while wearing a stage costume and singing. This ancient rumor has translated into modern language with the phrase, “Nero fiddled while Rome burned,” meaning a leader engaged in trifles while desperate issues are ignored."

This author rarely mentions a timeline, and also, he isn't mentioning exactly when was Jesus supposedly born, brought to Egypt, taken back, and crucified. Since Augustus filed in 14CE, and Nero had his fire in 64 CE, presumably the crucifixion was in this interval after Augustus and before Nero. During Caligula, yhen, or before, during Tiberius?

This omission of mentioning the supposedly most important event of West, raises doubts.

It's not just that one's supposed to not associate Rome with crucifixions of Jews which were routine during occupation of Jerusalem, Judea, Israel and Galilee by Rome. That's out of question, since Rome was colonial ruler of the region, and cannot be disassociated thus from legal executions thst took place.

It's much more, making one question if the whole story is just made up, or is an encapsuled version of what was done to hundreds, even thousands, of Jews.

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"In spite of the persecution, adherents to the new religion became more numerous, and their power in the Empire grew. The turning point came when Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in the year 312 CE. His conversion took place at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge on the outskirts of the city. It is said that he had a vision of a cross in the sky above the battlefield and the words, “by this sign, conquer.” When his outnumbered troops painted the symbol on their shields and then won the battle, Constantine declared himself a Christian and made Christianity the religion of the Roman Empire. The predominance of the Christian faith in the western world owes much to the decision of one very powerful Roman."

So supposedly a man of peace induced a Roman emperor to supposedly a religion of peace, kindness, mercy et al - by helping the Roman butcher a few hundred soldiers of the opposite side?

Only god of Rome, then, not of humanity? Because it was Rome that crucified him?

That this whole story was false propaganda has been brought to light a few decades ago; Constantine did wish a unification of worship, nut for Sun, worshipped as Mitra. At his death, church officials conducted a ceremony when he was in no position to oppose, and later claimed he'd converted of his own will. This fraud continued in for example Calcutta under auspices of a missionary later sanctified by church, which was slightly exposed by their strictly tending yo during, but refusing them medical help for survival.

But the bit about vision seems copied from the historical reason and events of China converting to Buddhism due to the emperor of China having a vision of an immense Golden God rising in West, and being informed by his minister that indeed, there was a new God who'd been reported to have lived then recently in India.

The Chinese emperor sent an emissary to India to find out, and on his return, converted himself and his subjects. But it was not only peaceful, it was far more - China wasn't required to give up anything of beliefs practices until then, only to open and accept a new Divine Incarnation.

That's completely unlike the fanaticism of later abrahmic creeds that require scorning all others.

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"Rome continues to be a force in Christianity today. The Roman Catholic faith is practiced by approximately 1.2 billion people around the world, and the focus of faith is led by the Pope in Vatican City. Five million people visit Vatican City every year in pilgrimage to the holy sites around Vatican City and Rome. Though it’s no longer the center of an empire, Rome’s power still reaches around the world."

And that exposes the very name as fraud! Why is Vatican, not Jerusalem or Nazareth or Bethlehem, the site of pilgrimage? How dies Rome, after executing a man, get to be sanctimonious using his name?

It's nothing but power play, as evidenced by inquisition and more, no different from erstwhile Roman circus.

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"At the time of Emperor Romulus Augustulus’ final defeat, the Empire had already declined to the point that he had only a small military force and was not acknowledged as a ruler anywhere outside Italy. Other factors within the Empire had caused them to be vulnerable. Political instability became even more pronounced. Assassinations were common and were often completed by the very men who were charged with the emperor’s safety. At one point, the Praetorian Guard even auctioned off the title to the highest bidder. Roman legions had very little loyalty to Rome, as they were mostly comprised of mercenary troops who were not even given citizenship as an incentive.

"The final cultural component of Rome’s decline can also be argued as her saving grace. The spread of Christianity and the change of the Roman people from polytheism to monotheism was a cultural upheaval that changed the way the majority of people understood the world."

There's a whopper of a lie! Church didn't help understand the universe in any way whatsoever, and in fact opposed such understanding strenuously, via inquisition; nor fid any church doctrines so help.

What it did for was strap blinkers on adherents and followers, making them easy to use as slaves.

"Throughout Rome’s history, there had been a tendency to view the city as having a layer of sacred meaning. The founding myth of Romulus and Remus, the favor of the gods that Rome had always seemed to possess with the spread of Roman power—sacrifices had even been made to the city itself, in the form of the goddess Roma. The emperors had been divinely chosen and were then divine in their own right. The Christian tenet of “One God” refocused people’s devotion away from the cult of the state and created another seat of power. Though the Empire fell, the Catholic Church in Vatican City holds sway beyond the edges of the Empire at its height."

No, it's just a fraud perpetrated, veiling Roman Empire as the only conduit to salvation, and fraudulently so.

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"Another Roman innovation was very prevalent in the bathhouses they built in every city. Roman engineers used a special arrangement of tiles to build a raised floor. The resulting airflow system is called a hypocaust. This ingenious system allowed the Romans to build the first heated floors and central heating systems. Unfortunately, the system relied on slaves, who were forced to work in cramped, smoke-filled chambers to manage the fires needed to create the heat.

"In the nineteenth century, it was a popular saying that “the sun never set on the British Empire.” The British built on the legacy of Rome’s occupation as their own empire grew. Modern highways in Great Britain follow the ancient routes cut out by Roman legions two thousand years ago. The impact of the five hundred years of Roman rule seemed to include the martial prowess and determination that would make the British Empire such a grand and dominant force."

That must endear tome to erstwhile British colonial subjects!

"When the new nation, the United States of America, was born out of British colonialism, founding father Thomas Jefferson stated that the Republic of Rome had been the model for much of the formation of the new government. The United States would adopt much of the symbolism of ancient Rome, including the architecture of the capital city of Washington D.C. and the symbolism of the eagle. The nation would also show its inheritance of expansionism and imperialist tendencies with its doctrine of manifest destiny, which echoed Rome’s determination to bring Roman civilization to the far corners of the known world."

Having just read about Caligula et al, that paragraph leads to speculation.

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"Across the world, a billion people still look to Rome as the center of their faith, and untold numbers are still inspired by her greatness and her glory. Rome’s artisans, engineers, architects, and authors were the original innovators of facets of society and technology that we take for granted today. Republic, Empire, Kingdom, Capital; through the rise and the fall, the barbarians and the burning, Rome has endured and continues to endure into the millennia—it’s truly an eternal city."

Having just finished the volume on Greece, that paragraph seems like this author us unaware of Greece, at the very least.

"In legend, twin brothers founded a city in 753 BCE. The Republic of Rome was founded in 509 BCE, and the Roman Empire is said to have fallen in 476 CE. The art, architecture, language, laws, and even amenities of daily life in Western culture were built on Roman foundations. Our words have Roman roots. Our ideas of civilization and government are forever influenced by Roman culture and Roman example. Emperor Marcus Aurelius once said, “Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future, too.” Known by history as the Philosopher Emperor and the Last of the Good Emperors, did Marcus Aurelius foresee the years of decline ahead for his Empire? Is it possible that Rome’s legacy for us today is not so much about the ancient past as it is about what lies ahead?"

Hmmmmm.

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"The Eternal City, the city of the seven hills, the sacred city, the caput mundi, the center of the world, Roma; Rome, by any of her many names, is a city built on history and blood, marble and water, war and conquest. From legendary beginnings, a city rose from the swamp surrounded by the seven hills and split by the Tiber River. Built and rebuilt, a sacred republic and a divine empire, blessed by a thousand gods and by one, the story of her rise and fall has been told and retold for a thousand years and is still relevant in today’s world, as echoes of her ancient glory have shaped our culture, laws, lifestyle, and beliefs in subtle and pervasive ways."

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"Oh, little did the Wolf-Child care--

"When first he planned his home,

"What City should arise and bear

"The weight and state of Rome.

"—Rudyard Kipling"

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"The legendary founding of Rome is supposed to have occurred in the eighth century BCE. The founders were twin brothers Romulus and Remus, sons of Mars, the Roman god of war and a Vestal Virgin, Rhea Silvia. Their tyrannical and jealous uncle wanted no rivals for his throne, so he ordered servants to kill the infants. The boys were left to die of exposure on the banks of the Tiber River, and the basket in which they lay was carried off when the river rose in flood.

"The two boys were rescued and suckled by the she-wolf that became the symbol of the city. A shrine now stands in the cave where this is supposed to have occurred. Romulus and Remus were discovered and raised to adulthood by a poor shepherd family. As men, they determined to build a city near where the river had delivered them as infants.

"They soon lived up to their divine father’s expectations when they fought over placement and rule of the city they were building together. Romulus wanted to build on the Palatine Hill, and Remus favored an alternate placement on Aventine Hill. The sacred auguries were consulted, but they could not agree on the meaning. Their sibling rivalry ended when Romulus killed his brother and claimed the city as his own. Roman tradition credits Romulus with not only the founding of the city itself, but also most of the structures of government and culture, including the Senate, the army, and even the religion.

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"The Roman people took pride in this legend and found a sense of their identity in the tale, believing they, like their founders, took on the ferocity and strength of the wolf with their mother’s milk and the martial instinct and power of the divine father. Mars remained an important god in Rome’s religious life and culture throughout her long history. Rome’s army was to become an unstoppable force, helping to build an empire that encompassed most of the known world."

They've been proud of a heritage of killing your own brother for sake of a kingdom!

That certainly explains the assassinations in Rome - and crucifixions galore in Jerusalem!

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"In the beginning, Rome was under the control of the Etruscans, an ancient and advanced society in their own right. ... "

Very badly written, in that author defines nothing of either. What exactly does it mean when he says Rome, or Etruscan? Neither timings nor regions are defined.

" ... Many advancements in civil engineering, city planning, and even the plumbing techniques the Romans would later perfect were an inheritance from the influence of the Etruscan Empire. Despite the benefits of being part of an Etruscan province, the Romans rebelled against their rulers. The Etruscan kings were defeated and cast out of Rome. Determined never to be ruled by a king again, the victorious Romans created a republic in which citizens had representation in government. The governing body was the Senate. Two consuls were elected each year, splitting the power and responsibility of government between them. The consuls appointed members of the Senate, which dealt with governing daily life in the Republic. Roman society during this time was harshly divided between the elite patricians and the common people, or plebeians. Most of the powerful positions in government were only given to the men of the wealthy patrician society. There were dizzying levels of citizenship as well, based on social status, location, gender, and whether a person had ever been a slave. Client nations were also sometimes granted another level of citizenship. Rights such as voting and owning property were meted out depending on a person’s citizenship status.

"The new government was represented by the initials SPQR, or Senatus Populusque Romanus, the Senate and people of Rome. Roman citizenship was a prize to be proud of and treasured.

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"In its early years, the Republic expanded well beyond the borders of Italy. Military campaigns that resulted in the rapid growth were viewed in Rome as defensive exercises, attacking neighboring powers before they could attack. Romans considered the peoples that lived along the Mediterranean and to the north beyond the Alps to be barbarians, a derisive term for people who did not speak the civilized Latin language. This view of outsiders made expansionist actions a foregone conclusion."

That's so identical a world view held by China, and not recently but always, one must wonder at the deep connection of such identical twin civilisations that differ only in looks.

"At first, the army consisted of Roman landowners who served as part of their duty to the Republic. Through the period of wars and expansion, the army gained professionalism and opened up to include Roman peasants who were not part of the landowning class. ... "

Very like warlords of China, that.

" ... Rome eventually maintained a professional standing army, but it was early in its development when the Roman army faced its greatest enemy: the ancient city of Carthage in Northern Africa."

Why was Carthage enemy, other than its existence? Again, very China mindset, where everyone else is "foreign devil", "barbarian"!

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"Between 264 and 146 BCE, Rome would be embroiled in three wars with Carthage, known as the Punic Wars. Beginning with a skirmish between the two at the island of Sicily, the battles to come would be some of the most ferocious in history.

"Carthage was a city founded by the ancient world’s legendary seafaring people, the Phoenicians. In order to effectively battle Carthaginian forces, the Roman military—with its heavy reliance on infantry—needed a naval force. The army was able to capture a wrecked Carthaginian warship known as a quinquereme. Within two months, Roman engineers copied the ship and built the first Roman navy. Initially, the Roman style of warfare did not transfer well to battles at sea, but eventually the Romans developed a method of boarding large numbers of soldiers onto enemy ships. They were then able to use their tactics of battle in naval warfare.

"After a major naval battle, Rome was the victor in the First Punic War. As a result, Rome gained the contested island of Sicily with its strategic position between the two powers. ... "

Which particular two powers? Author fails to mention.

" ... Rome also gained a dangerous and devoted enemy in the son of the conquered general, Hannibal Barca."

Author proceeds to discourse on Hannibal without explanation of antecedents.

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"Hannibal’s hatred for Rome was so fierce it still burns in legend today. His brilliance as a warrior and his determined attacks made him a nightmare for the citizens of Rome. Hannibal is the “barbarian at the gate” of popular speech, meaning imminent danger and destruction. Hannibal’s Carthaginian forces handed the Roman army its most devastating defeat in one of the greatest displays of tactical prowess in military history at the Battle of Cannae. Modest casualty estimates put the Roman dead at 6,000 men, which effectively crippled Rome’s forces for a time.

"The most legendary of Hannibal’s accomplishments was his passage through the Alps in order to avoid Roman defensive fortifications and attack Rome from the north. This mountain crossing is not an easy proposition in even the best of circumstances. Hannibal moved thousands of men, horses, and even as many as forty war elephants he had brought from Africa. Although many soldiers, horses, and most of the elephants died on the way, the army arrived in the Italian plains ready to move south to Rome.

"The Roman consul who finally defeated Hannibal was Scipio Africanus. Plagued by the restrictions of a fearful Senate, Scipio still managed to keep Hannibal at bay, finally beating him at the Battle of Zama. Ironically, a stampede of Carthage’s much-feared war elephants killed many of Hannibal’s own forces, contributing to their defeat. This victory ended the Second Punic War, but the rivalry between the two great cities was not yet ended.

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"When the peace treaty between Rome and Carthage expired after 50 years, the payments Carthage had been forced to make also ended. Rome continued to make demands in order to maintain the peace. From demanding Carthaginian children as hostages to seizing all Carthaginian weapons and armor to finally proposing the people all move so that the city of Carthage could be burned to make way for farmland, Rome made it impossible for Carthage to avoid war. The Roman army was ready for Carthage’s rebellion. Upon cessation of negotiations, the city was immediately besieged.

"The Carthaginians withstood the siege that lasted some three years, and the final Roman assault on the city was against a population greatly weakened by death, starvation, and disease. When the Roman army was victorious, any Carthaginians who survived were sold into slavery. The city was then burned for 17 days before the land where it stood was sowed with salt to prevent future fertility. The territories that had been held by Carthage became the Roman province of Africa, and the Punic Wars were finally ended."

Must say, this inspires nothing but disgust, over and above horror, at Rome!

"With the conquest of their greatest rival, Carthage, and the man known as Rome’s greatest enemy, Hannibal Barca, Romans were able to attend to more pressing matters of expansion to the north of Italy. These continuing wars of expansion were a perfect setting for the arrival of a military and political genius whose talents and ambition would soon spell the end of the Roman Republic, Gaius Julius Caesar."

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"“It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.”

"—Gaius Julius Caesar"

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"Julius Caesar was a name as great as Alexander, though he ruled only a year in Rome. His military genius and powerful ambition led him to be despised as a traitor, mourned as a father, and revered as a god. He would change the face of the world and begin a line of rulers that would be some of the greatest in history.

"Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman citizen from an aristocratic family. He fought in several wars for the Roman army and then entered into political life where he again took charge of military forces with great success. As governor of Gaul, Caesar was able to conquer what is now France and western Germany successfully. Although he led troops across the English Channel to England, he returned to Rome without expanding the Republic to the island."

So far, good. But then author proceeds to bring fown Julius Caesar!

"Caesar was a master at propaganda as well as military strategy. He also had allies in Rome who made sure his writings were well received and kept him apprised of the political situation in the capital. He wrote consistently and voluminously about his triumphs in battle in the territories of Gaul, Germania, and Britannia. In fact, much of what we know today about the ancient cultures of Germany, France, and the British Isles is based on Caesar’s reports on his experiences on the campaign. In one of his letters back to the Senate with the status of his movements in the war against Pharnaces II of Pontus, he penned the famous phrase, “Veni, vidi, vici,” meaning “I came, I saw, I conquered.” In this brief statement, with its clever language, bravado, and purposeful arrogance, we can see the brilliance and charisma that allowed this man to change the world forever.

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"As Caesar’s power and reputation grew, his allies in the Triumvirate, Pompey and Crassus, became uneasy. The two men had long been enemies, and it was only Caesar’s persuasion that had brought them together as an unofficial and powerful alliance. When Crassus was killed in battle, Pompey moved to gather complete power for himself. He forged alliances with Roman nobility who were against Caesar’s growing power. Caesar eventually went to war against Pompey and his noble allies, famously crossing the Rubicon River to do so. The Rubicon was the traditional border of the city of Rome. It was forbidden for a general to bring an army into this sacred space for good reason, as Caesar’s actions would soon show. The phrase, “crossing the Rubicon,” has passed into popular language as an expression of an irrevocable and portentous decision. Caesar was committing treason by leading his army through the shallow water and was his gamble to fail his punishment would be severe."

That last sentence is very badly written.

"Luckily for Caesar, Pompey and his allies in the Senate fled from Rome. In the years of civil war that followed, he was able to defeat his foes. Far from being punished for his treasonous acts, he was then given the honor of being made dictator of Rome in perpetuity. This power in the hands of one man was viewed with alarm by many in Rome. As a result, a conspiracy was formed to assassinate Caesar. The assailants attacked as Caesar walked in the Roman Forum on March 15, or the “Ides of March,” in 44 BCE. So that one man not be held responsible for the assassination, either in blame or glory, the conspirators all individually stabbed their victim. Julius Caesar died at the hands of the noblemen of Rome, the city he had glorified throughout his life. In the end, however, the murder that had aimed to save the Republic only hastened its demise and the beginning of the Roman Empire.

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"In one of his greatest works named Julius Caesar, the playwright William Shakespeare provided the English-speaking world with the definitive, if greatly embellished, vision of Julius Caesar’s life and death. The tragic scene of the murder, with Caesar’s famous pitiable last words, “Et tu, Brute?” (meaning “Even you, Brutus?”) has become a morality tale of power and corruption that has oft been revisited in the politics of later governments in Europe and the Americas.

"Julius Caesar’s nephew and adopted son Octavius—sometimes referred to as Octavian—was 18 years old at the time of the assassination. He immediately took up the reins of power in Rome, demanding of the Senate that the murder be avenged and vowing a sacred oath to Mars to build a great temple in the god’s honor if his campaign was successful. The temple he built upon his victory was the temple of Mars the Avenger in Rome. The doors of this temple were traditionally opened when Rome was at war, symbolizing the unleashed favor of the war god.

"Once he had obtained his just vengeance for the murder of Julius Caesar, Octavius now held power, along with his allies Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus, in what became known as the Second Triumvirate. Predictably, the alliance between these powerful and ambitious men did not last. Boundary struggles between Octavius and Lepidus led to Lepidus being accused of treason toward the Triumvirate, whereupon Octavius forced Lepidus to submit to his authority. Lepidus was also stripped of all of his official power and more importantly his armies, which now swore loyalty to Octavius. This split power between Octavius and his newly enlarged army and Mark Antony. Octavius remained in the west centered in Rome and Mark Antony in the east in Egypt. Mark Antony, whose wife was Octavius’ sister, Octavia, had very publicly taken up with Queen Cleopatra of the royal house of Egypt. Mark Antony even had several children with the Egyptian queen. The people of Rome were easily made suspicious of the flamboyant, and by Roman standards scandalous, foreign queen and her association with the Roman ruler. It was feared that Cleopatra was using Mark Antony to gain power in Rome for herself.

"This was the perfect reason for Octavius to declare war on his former ally. After a brutal naval battle at Actium, Octavius was triumphant, and Mark Antony retreated with Cleopatra. Octavius’ army trapped Antony and Cleopatra in the palace at Alexandria, where they both committed suicide, he by his sword and she by a poisonous snake, rather than subject themselves to capture by Octavius.

"The play by William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra, dramatizes the tale of the doomed lovers in spectacular fashion. It is his portrayal of the seductive Egyptian queen that has made Cleopatra one of the best known and memorable rulers of Egypt.

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"With the defeat of both of his fellow triumvirs Lepidus and Antony, Octavius gained full control of the Roman Empire, supported by popular demand of the Senate. Octavius took on the name Augustus, meaning “venerable” or “by the augurs.” So Augustus Caesar became the first emperor of the Roman Empire. He would rule for the next 40 years until his death in 14 CE. After the violence of his ascension to the throne, Emperor Augustus was a surprisingly fair and even-tempered ruler. He claimed to be the “first citizen” to display humility and willingness to work with the Senate, even though in reality he held full power.

"Late in his life, Emperor Augustus claimed he found Rome a city of brick and transformed it into a city of marble. The city and the Empire certainly grew in grandeur as it prospered during his long reign. Not only did Augustus sponsor civic construction projects of government buildings and temples to the gods of Rome, but he also instituted improvements in government services. Rome started the first fire department under Augustus’ rule, known as the Vigiles Urbani, or “Watchmen of the City.” The statues and portraits on coins of Augustus from this period are among the most famous and recognizable of the Roman emperors. The 40-year period of Augustus’ reign is known as the Pax Romana, because of the relative peace within Rome after years of civil war.

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"After the murder of Julius Caesar, Augustus had made sure his adopted father was recognized as a god in Rome. This conveniently made Augustus Divi Filius, or “son of a god.” Eventually, this led to the cult of the emperor in which Augustus himself was a god and the emperors of Rome that followed him were said to become gods upon their deaths. In fact, a story related by Roman historian Suetonius tells that when Emperor Vespasian lay dying, his last words were, “Oh dear, I think I’m becoming a god.”

"Augustus died after years of illness in the year 14 CE. He passed while visiting the city of Nola, where his father had died. His wife Livia was with him. Livia has been suspected at that time of having murdered the emperor by giving him poisoned figs so that her son Tiberius might more quickly come to power.

"After the death of Emperor Augustus, his adopted son Tiberius did indeed become emperor, continuing the dynasty that began with Julius Caesar. Tiberius had none of the charisma and daring of his predecessors. He was disliked in Rome and so spent most of his time in his palaces on the island of Capri, where it is said he indulged in depraved and murderous behavior. Commonly, he ordered those unfortunates who displeased him flung off the cliffs into the crashing Mediterranean below. He also apparently kept a troupe of young children he called his “minnows” because he enjoyed swimming with them in the palace pools. It is worth mentioning that Tiberius’ nephew, Caligula, spent six years from the age of seventeen as a guest of his uncle on Capri. Not only was he witness to cruel punishments and executions, but he was also a participant as one of his uncle’s swimming companions. Finally, the uncle who held him prisoner was also the paranoid emperor who had ordered the murder of Caligula’s parents and brothers. Caligula had watched his father die after he was poisoned by his uncle’s order. His mother and brother were exiled to an island where they starved, and his one other brother also starved to death in the emperor’s prison. These years must have been a terrifying experience for the young prisoner."

Does Nero seem quite so horrible any more, in comparison?

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"Emperor Tiberius died at the age of 78. He had been ill and possibly expired as a result of his illness. It was widely believed at the time, however, that in the end, he was smothered to death with a pillow by Caligula and the prefect of the Praetorian Guard, Naevius Sutorius Macro.

"In his will, Tiberius had declared Caligula and a cousin, Tiberius Gemellus, co-rulers of the Empire. As one of his first acts upon ascending to the throne, Caligula had the young Gemellus executed.

"Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus would be known throughout his life and throughout history as Caligula. He was given the name when, as a child, he accompanied his father Germanicus on campaign in Germania wearing a child-sized uniform. The men under his father’s command called the boy “little boots.” The story and the name seem bizarrely charming in contrast to the sadistic brutality that would characterize his rule.

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"Six months after he became emperor, Caligula became terribly ill to the extent it seemed he would not survive. His behavior upon his recovery began a descent into greater depths of depravity and violence, leading some historians to suggest that madness may have been brought on by his mysterious illness. Another theory involves the Roman usage of lead containers when making wine; it is thought the excessive consumption Caligula is supposed to have engaged in would have been more than enough to cause chronic lead poisoning. Regardless of the possible underlying cause, the next three years of his reign would be years of decadence and cruelty.

"Caligula was famed for his lavish dinner parties where he and his guests would dine on exotic foods brought to Rome from all corners of the Empire. It is said he would force the wives of his wealthy guests into his bed during the feast and then return to the party and critique the woman’s performance for all of those present. He is also reputed to have had incestuous relations with his sisters, even killing his youngest sister Drusilla when she became pregnant.

"Caligula spent so much of the Empire’s gold on his pleasures and parties that Rome soon faced a financial crisis. In order to fund himself, he began accusing various government officials of corruption so that he could obtain their estates for himself. Caligula is quoted as responding to the hatred of his subjects by saying, “Let them hate me, so long as they fear me.”

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"Emperor Caligula also made an effort to prove his worth as a military commander by leading a campaign against Britannia. The story is told that the troops marched to the edge of the English Channel and Caligula ordered his men to attack the sea. He even gathered sea shells as a tribute to his victory. Upon returning to Rome, captives were paraded in celebration of his conquest, and it was obvious to most that the barbarian captives were Caligula’s slaves dressed in ragged costumes. Later historians, however, discovered that the coast of Gaul had been well fortified and prepared under Caligula for a well-planned invasion of Britain, casting doubt on the truth of his mad assault on the sea.

"When the emperor announced his plans to relocate himself and the capital of the Empire to Alexandria in Egypt, the wealthy of Rome became angered by the idea of losing the prestige of the capital. It seems several conspiracies developed to assassinate Caligula, but it was finally his very own guards who attacked him as he walked in a passage near the theater. It is said that he was stabbed 30 times by his assailants, in an echo of the murder of his famous ancestor Julius Caesar.

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"Caligula’s uncle Claudius next took the throne. Claudius had been ignored and ostracized by his aristocratic family because he walked with a limp and had an odd manner of speaking due to his partial deafness. After the slaughter of many family members during the reigns of Tiberius and Caligula, Claudius was the only legitimate male member of the Julian family left alive.

"In spite of Claudius’ disability, it seems he was a very competent emperor. He commanded military campaigns that extended the Empire. His management of the Imperial finances was a definite improvement after Caligula’s tastes for luxury and expense.

"The emperor’s first wife, Messalina, was notoriously unfaithful to her husband. When she went to the lengths of marrying another man while Claudius was away in a possible coup attempt, she was executed, along with her conspirators. When Claudius remarried, it was to his niece, Agrippina the Younger, and thus her son, Nero, was Claudius’ heir to the Empire. Once this succession was arranged, Claudius conveniently died, probably having been poisoned by Agrippina.

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This omission of mentioning the supposedly most important event of West, raises doubts.

It's much more, making one question if the whole story is just made up, or is an encapsuled version of what was done to hundreds, even thousands, of Jews.

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"To counter all of these speculations, Nero presented members of the new religious cult in Rome, Christianity, as the culprits. Though Christian motives for burning down the city were unclear, Nero proceeded to have followers of the new faith slaughtered in terrifying numbers and in terrifying ways. It is even said that Nero had multiple Christians burned at once to provide light for his garden parties.

"With the rumors quieted, Nero proceeded to build a palace in the space created by the fire. The Domus Aurea, or Golden House, was a one-hundred-acre complex in the heart of the city. He drained the Roman treasury to fill the palace with gold and jewels and an enormous statue of himself. He even diluted the silver content in Roman coins in order to save more money for his own use. Poor Romans viewed this outrageous edifice as a symbol of Nero’s excess and waste, and as confirmation of his guilt in the Great Fire.

"Four years after the fire, Rome’s fortunes were declining, and Nero was declared an enemy of the Roman people by the Senate. He attempted to flee to safety, but eventually, he was faced with the prospect of arrest and execution, and he chose to commit suicide. As he lay dying, leaving the Roman Empire with no clear successor, and bringing the proud dynasty of the Julio-Claudian family to a close, it is said his last words were, “What an artist the world has lost in me.” The Empire would continue, under new leadership, for another four hundred years."

................................................................................................

"During 69 CE, the year after Nero’s suicide, civil wars would rage in Rome as contenders to the throne vied for power. The official record shows that there were four emperors in Rome in a mere twelve months: Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian.

"Emperor Vespasian held power at the end of the year, and he was able to hold on to his throne and his life. His reign marked the beginning of the new Flavian dynasty that would include Vespasian and his two sons, Titus and Domitian. Having risen to power through the ranks of the Roman military, Vespasian’s temperament resulted in a leadership style that was pragmatic rather than extravagant. This change was well received in a city reeling from Nero’s excesses and the parade of four emperors the previous year.

"Vespasian had ascended to power during the weak and excessive rule of Vitellius when troops under his command in Jerusalem proclaimed him as emperor. Angry legions around the Empire also sided with this soldier king against the hated wastrel in Rome. While Vespasian left his son Titus in Jerusalem, he took control of Roman forces in Egypt. Members of allied European forces marched on the city of Rome and executed Emperor Vitellius in Vespasian’s favor. The new emperor did not even return to Rome for several months after this victory.

................................................................................................

"It was under Emperor Vespasian that the Jewish uprising took place. The siege of Jerusalem was completed by Vespasian’s son, Titus. Romans destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem and used the treasures they found there to finance the building of the great Colosseum in Rome. The Colosseum took the place of the reflecting pool Emperor Nero had built with his Golden House in the center of Rome, giving this space back to the people, in a gesture meant to gain the people’s support for the new ruling family. The Arch of Titus commemorating this victory stands nearby between the Colosseum and the Forum. Prominently carved in the images of captured treasure is a large menorah to symbolize the sack of the great Jewish Temple."

So the sack of Jerusalem was historical, as was the siege.

Was crucifixion, of the king of Jews?

"Although Emperor Vespasian would die of illness long before the Colosseum was completed, his son Titus would complete the project and dedicate the amphitheater with one hundred days of games. With this gesture, Emperor Titus honored his father and also demonstrated masterful use of the Roman practice of “bread and circuses,” as a means of gaining popularity with the common people of Rome. This phrase was used in derision by the poet Juvenal, who saw the citizens’ reliance on these things as the degeneration of Rome. It is still used today to mean much the same thing.

"Emperor Titus was very popular at the start of his reign. Unfortunately, the Empire was struck with calamity only a few months after Vespasian’s death. In August, Mount Vesuvius erupted, destroying and burying the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii. While Titus journeyed to the south in a relief effort, a fire caught in Rome and burned for days, destroying a wide portion of the city near the Pantheon. Finally, a plague swept through the area, which Titus combatted with prayers and sacrifices to the gods. Titus later also became ill while on a short trip with his brother Domitian. It has been suggested that his illness was due to having been poisoned by his brother, who followed him as emperor.

................................................................................................

"Domitian was to be the last of the Flavian emperors. His rule would last for 15 years, ending, predictably, with his assassination. The Empire would continue under six more Imperial dynasties, as well as individual rulers for another four hundred years. A year would occur in which six emperors would rule and be deposed or assassinated. A new state religion would be instituted, the Empire would be split in two, and a new capital would rise in the east.

"Some of the more notable men to rule in Rome during the Empire included Hadrian, who built the wall at the edge of the Empire to keep the barbarians locked in the north. He was considered to be one of the five “Good Emperors.” Also included in this list was Marcus Aurelius, who has come through history as a philosopher and copious writer. Marcus Aurelius gave us such quotes as, “Our life is what our thoughts make it,” and “He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.” Of course, there would also be hated emperors, tyrants, and murderers. Commodus and Caracalla were both rulers of this sort, who resembled Caligula and Nero in their luxury and cruelty.

................................................................................................

"There would be Emperor Diocletian, who rose from slavery through the army ranks to become the most powerful man in the world. Being one of their own, Emperor Diocletian was popular with the people and practical in his affairs. When he found the Empire too great for one man to rule, he split the Empire in two and granted half of his power to another military veteran, Maximian.

"Constantine the Great would be the emperor whose reign may have had the most widespread and long-lasting effect. He converted to Christianity and later made it the state religion, he sponsored expeditions to recover historical Christian icons and spread the new faith across the Empire.

"The last of the Roman emperors was Romulus Augustus. In spite of his esteemed name, he ruled for less than a year. Upon his death in 476 CE, his successor to the throne called himself a king and affected none of the iconic trappings of the Empire."

................................................................................................

"During the first three hundred years of the first millennium CE, to rule in Rome was to be the ruler of the known world, or at least the world that mattered to Romans. Of course, the instrument of the Empire was Rome’s powerful legions. Few nations were able to resist these legendary forces. Those that tried and failed met with a brutal response. There was also, however, a more subtle invasion of Roman culture that played a role in Rome’s mastery of the Empire.

"In 43 CE, the Roman army began an invasion of the unconquered island of Britannia, at the farthest edges of the Empire. Roman ships made land on the southern coast of Great Britain, near what is now Kent. Mainland western Europe was already part of the Empire. This push into England would mark the farthest the Roman Empire would ever extend. This border was made physical when Emperor Hadrian built his 80-mile-long wall in 122 CE. During this time, the Mediterranean Sea was often referred to as a “Roman lake,” as it was completely bordered by Roman lands. The system of Roman roads stretched from England to Egypt, facilitating the spread of Roman culture, as well as Roman legions outwards across the Empire. Trade was also encouraged by the ease of travel. Goods from Africa might be found in the same home as goods from Germany or Spain. All of this trade and growing infrastructure was based on the might of the Roman legions, and the engineering skills they brought along with their fighting prowess. Rome would remain the focus of power in the known world for hundreds of years, finally falling in 476 CE.

................................................................................................

"At its height, the Roman army was a seemingly unstoppable force of conquest. The Roman legions were made up of professional, highly trained, and disciplined soldiers whom all had the best armor and weaponry available at the time. Although many different types of equipment were used by the military during the hundreds of years Rome was in power, there were a few items that were mainstays.

"The vast majority of the Roman army was the infantry or foot soldiers. These men wore helmets called cassis, coats of mail, and greaves known as ocrea. They had shields and carried swords and spears. Gladius is the Roman word for sword, but this could be used to identify short swords as well as long, and individual soldiers might have either, or both, along with a small dagger known as a pugio. Infantry soldiers in the Roman army also famously carried an entrenching tool that allowed them to turn from the business of fighting to the business of preparing for fighting. Soldiers also performed other engineering tasks such as building roads, bridges, and fortified camps.

"Beyond the infantry, the Roman army would include cavalry regiments. Interestingly, the cavalry units were most often comprised of allied troops of non-citizen soldiers who would be trained and equipped by Rome. Cavalry units were mostly used for scouting and flanking maneuvers.

................................................................................................

"When the situation called for an additional advantage, the Roman army was famous for its invention, adaptation, and efficient use of some of history’s most terrifying war machines. The ballista was an enormous torsion powered crossbow that could fire multiple bolts or stone missiles over great distances. Each ballista had a crew of men to load and fire it. The onager was a type of catapult that fired a projectile from a sling. Onager is the Roman word meaning “wild mule,” and the machine was so named for its bucking kick when fired. This weapon was often used with combustible missiles to heighten their damage and the element of psychological warfare. The scorpio was a smaller, more portable and easily aimed version of the ballista. It could fire a continuous arc of armor piercing bolts. Each legion traveled with 60 of these machines. Many besieged cities and fortresses fell to these ancient technological wonders of warfare.

"In spite of all of these powerful mechanisms, the most imposing aspect of the Roman army was often described as their discipline. Roman legions marched in strict formation. Their maneuvers and tactics were well practiced. The shining matching armor reinforced the impression of a singular, directed power. One practice of disciplinary action in the legions is particularly terrifying to imagine. Decimation is a term used today to describe utter destruction. In the original Roman usage, it meant a severe punishment for failures in battle where one in every ten men was killed. Usually, the condemned men were executed by their surviving comrades. This was the level of obedience demanded of soldiers of Rome."

Now, practiced at Harvard Business School, but not left to students.

................................................................................................

"As part of the expansion of the Empire, when Rome added a new territory, it also absorbed what was best of the territory’s culture. Art, religion, invention, military equipment, and tactics were all enriched by infusions of the wide variety of cultures encompassed by the power of Rome. Temples to foreign gods like Isis and Mithras were even built in Rome itself. Egyptian obelisks stood defiantly in the streets. Weapons technology from Greece, Carthaginian boats, and Gaulish cavalry are examples of Roman adaptation of local culture.

"Each conquest of new territory also brought captives that were taken to Rome. Some would be marched in triumphs as conquered enemies, while others were sold to support the thriving Roman slave trade. Slavery was a fact of life in Rome. Slaves were often captured soldiers and civilians from Roman conquests as the Empire grew. Children were also sold into slavery by their parents or community, and criminals were made slaves as punishment for their crimes. The average life expectancy of a slave in Rome was a heart-breaking 17 years. Skilled or educated slaves had the possibility of a better life. These slaves were often given access to property they could use as their own. It was possible for them to earn and save money to eventually buy their freedom. Freed slaves were able to become full citizens, with the right to vote for male slaves.

"During the Republic and Imperial periods, up to 40 percent of the population of Italy was enslaved. Throughout the rest of the Empire, the proportion was lower, around 15 percent for the Empire as a whole. Especially considering that many of these slaves were captured soldiers, this population became a problem for Rome many times in the form of violent slave rebellions."

Doesn't make Rome seem attractive.

................................................................................................

"The most famous of the slave rebellions is the one led by a man named Spartacus. Spartacus and the warriors who joined him fought their way to freedom, and they clashed successfully with several Roman legions during their escape. The slave army was finally defeated by Marcus Crassus. As a demonstration, Crassus ordered that 600 of the recaptured rebels be crucified along the Appian Way to the south of Rome. At the time of the rebellion, Spartacus was enslaved and in training to be a gladiator. This was a common fate for Roman slaves captured in battle.

"The gladiator was the prime example of games provided for the people’s entertainment. Ironically, this was done in an attempt to avoid rebellion among the common people. Gladiators were slaves, often captured soldiers. They were forced to fight one another in the arena, often fighting to the death in front of roaring crowds. As the games became more popular, even free men risked their lives to fight in the arena to win fame, money, and glory. At times, even Emperor Commodus himself appeared in the Colosseum in battle where he would, of course, be gloriously victorious.

"The games expanded to include hunts and fights against wild animals. Exotic creatures like lions, giraffes, elephants, and bears were brought from the ends of the Empire to die in the Colosseum in Rome. Roman cities all had arenas no matter how humble; it was a staple of Roman life and culture that easily impressed and enticed new Roman subjects far from Rome. When that didn’t work, it was also common for prisoners to be executed by being thrown to the beasts in the arenas. Nero had used this manner of execution with hundreds of Christians he accused of starting the Great Fire of 64 CE, and later rulers would crucify Christians in the circuses.

................................................................................................

"In Rome, Christianity began as a rebel sect. Christians were first mocked and then persecuted as their numbers grew. Rome had always been a proudly pagan city, with a legendary inheritance as the sons of the god Mars. The temple of the war god had been central to the state religion, and the great Pantheon which still stands in the Piazza della Rotonda in Rome was dedicated to all the gods of the Empire. Roman religious life had embraced many of the gods and goddesses worshiped by the various peoples in the lands controlled by the Empire. The Roman calendar had festivals and holy days dedicated to different deities. Many festivals were sponsored by the state or by wealthy citizens providing games and food for the common people. The idea of monotheism demanded by the Christian faith seemed ludicrous to the pagan citizens of Rome. The fact that Christians refused to sacrifice to the divine emperor seemed treasonous. The rumor that Christians were cannibals who ate the flesh and drank the blood of their god seemed unbelievable. Thus, turning these strange believers into outcasts and scapegoats was easy."

In this one respect alone Rome was for more reasonable, in most parts but one - that of forcing every emperor as divine; but then, church made that a convenient rule, so Rome wasn't worse than church in this regard.

................................................................................................

So supposedly a man of peace induced a Roman emperor to supposedly a religion of peace, kindness, mercy et al - by helping the Roman butcher a few hundred soldiers of the opposite side?

Only god of Rome, then, not of humanity? Because it was Rome that crucified him?

That's completely unlike the fanaticism of later abrahmic creeds that require scorning all others.

................................................................................................

And that exposes the very name as fraud! Why is Vatican, not Jerusalem or Nazareth or Bethlehem, the site of pilgrimage? How does Rome, after executing a man, get to be sanctimonious using his name?

It's nothing but power play, as evidenced by inquisition and more, no different from erstwhile Roman circus.

................................................................................................

"Several factors are thought to have contributed to the eventual decline and fall of the Roman Empire. The saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” It didn’t fall in a day either. Enemies on the borders and social unrest within the Empire and Rome combined to cause the Empire to crumble."

So, not due to crucifixion, then?

"The most obvious step in the direction of weakening the Empire was the split into east and west. Two emperors ruled—from Rome in the west and Constantinople in the east. Initially, this strategy worked as intended and cooperation between the two led to more manageable territories; however, when the two leaders failed to support each other against foreign threat or economic difficulties, the power in Constantinople simply funneled foreign aggression to what was now the weaker city, Rome.

"This led to what is the next obvious factor in Rome’s fading fortunes: attacks by European Goths and other Germanic tribes. The province of Germania had long been a bitter enemy of Rome, specifically because of an incident during Emperor Augustus’s reign in the year 9 CE. A native of Germania named Arminius was serving in the Roman army’s auxiliary forces under General Publius Quinctilius Varus. Arminius used his knowledge of Roman military tactics to lure his commander into a trap in the Teutoburg Forest set by the Germanic tribes. In the dense forest, the Roman line was forced to spread out, negating the vast numbers that normally supported their fighting style. The Germanic warriors, on the other hand, were used to fighting amidst the trees and knew the forest well. When the slower citizen camp followers fell behind the main body of the army, they became an easy target for enemies from the surrounding forest.

"The tribesmen then harried the legions as the Romans struggled through the unfamiliar and difficult territory. They attacked from the trees and then faded away just as quickly, making pursuit impossible and unwise. Traps were set throughout the forest, so the further the Romans marched, the more were killed by the tribes. In all, three legions, with supporting cavalry, auxiliary forces, and camp followers, were lost. In the end, General Varus committed suicide.

................................................................................................

"This massacre is remembered as Rome’s greatest defeat. The numbers of two of the lost legions, XVII and XIX, would never again be used by the Roman army. Six years after the battle, Roman troops under General Germanicus returned to Teutoburg Forest and found the battlefield. Germanicus’ men found that the remains of the Roman soldiers had simply been left where they fell, or worse nailed to trees or burned. The army buried the bones of the three legions, but this tragedy and dishonor were never laid to rest; it colored Roman policies in the province of Germania for as long as the Empire stood."

Funny, then, that Germany was subsequently was eat of Roman Empire, and not part thereof!

"These same enemies would again play a pivotal role in Roman history in the end. In 410 CE, Rome was sacked by Visigoths under King Alaric. Alaric’s forces quickly took what they wanted from the city, including hostages, and continued into the south of Italy. Rome was left in shock, and the threat did not end there.

"The Vandals were another Germanic tribe that attacked and sacked the city. This time, the looters stayed in Rome for two weeks, taking what they wanted and destroying what they didn’t. They tore the tiles from the roof of the Temple of Jupiter, and were so effective in their task that the name of the tribe has entered the English language in the term “vandalism.”

"The third and final barbarian invasion took place in the autumn of 476 CE. The Heruli, another tribe with Germanic roots, invaded. In the Battle of Ravenna, they captured the young Emperor Romulus Augustulus. The Heruli king, Odoacer, forced him to abdicate, officially ending Roman rule in Italy.

................................................................................................

What it did for was strap blinkers on adherents and followers, making them easy to use as slaves.

No, it's just a fraud perpetrated, veiling Roman Empire as the only conduit to salvation, and fraudulently so.

................................................................................................

"Language in the western world has spread the influence of the Roman Empire to whole continents that were unimagined even at its height. Several European languages, including Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, are known as “Romance languages” because of their origins in Latin, the language of Rome. The English language also incorporated Latin influence as the language of government and the elite during the Roman Occupation of Britain, and as the language of the Church until the Reformation and the first English Bible. Latin is still used in legal terminology in England and America. It is estimated that Latin words make up 29 percent of modern English.

"Our day-to-day calendar is a perfect example of Roman influence in modern language. The Julian Calendar was instituted by Julius Caesar. The months of July and August were added in honor of Julius and Augustus Caesar. Those born in July might be wary of the month of March, which was named after Mars, the Roman god of war.

"This survival of Roman influence in modern English extends further, in that the names used for the planets in the night sky are the names of the Roman gods. The bloodstained god Mars gives his name to the red planet. Mercury with its tight orbit bears the name of the fleet-footed messenger god. Shining Venus was named after the goddess of love and beauty; Jupiter, for the king of the gods; and pale Pluto for the god of death and the afterlife.

................................................................................................

"Back on terra firma, the Romans certainly left their mark on the Earth. It is often said that “all roads lead to Rome.” For a time in ancient history, that statement very nearly held true. Roman roads are perhaps the most ubiquitous example of Rome’s genius with construction. Roman soldiers built roads wherever they went, throughout western Europe and northern Africa, in order to facilitate the travel of supplies and reinforcements. As the Empire grew, so too did the road system, and the Roman army was able to travel incredibly swiftly due to the smooth, flat roads.

"The construction of the roads was durable to the extent that sections of road built during the Roman Empire still exist. Roman roads are remarkably straight, cutting into hills and spanning across deep valleys and rivers. They are built in multiple layers that allow for a long-lasting level surface paved mile after mile with flat stones. The roads left behind by Roman legions give us insight into Roman character: efficient, inventive, expansive, and inexorable.

"It was not only the incredible system of roads that speak so strongly of Roman order but the towns the roads connected as well. Roman towns were built in the same manner wherever possible. The camps built by the army were set in a predictable four-fold plan, which arranged facilities and barracks areas separately. The layout was duplicated in every camp so that the farthest territory afield was still familiar to the soldiers stationed there. This was a small-scale version of the grid plan used by later Roman cities and the modern cities built over them and after them.

................................................................................................

"Alongside many Roman roads, it was common to see aqueducts—graceful, towering structures built by the Romans for a wholly utilitarian purpose of transporting water to where it could be put to use in cultural centers for public fountains, plumbing, and baths. Aqueducts were built with some of the same principles as the roads, arching over valleys and across plains, underground and over hills, always maintaining the same level of incline to keep the water flowing as desired. In some places, Roman aqueducts are still in use as a method of transporting water over a thousand years after they were built. Complex water routing systems in today’s cities use many of the same principles as Rome’s system of water supply.

"Made possible by the water supply brought into the city by the aqueducts, Romans also developed modern plumbing, which was exemplified by the Roman bathhouse. Bathhouses were a staple of Roman cities across the Empire. They were the center of public life, where Roman citizens met and enjoyed the luxury of heated pools and grand surroundings. The grand bathhouse that is the namesake for Bath, England, still stands and still uses its Roman system of plumbing.

"Perhaps as a result of their innovative methods of manipulating water, Romans also developed a waterproof, durable and adaptable construction material known as concrete. Many aqueducts and bath facilities utilized this new material, as well as engineering marvels like the famous domed Pantheon in Rome. The impact of this innovation can easily be seen while walking on the concrete sidewalks of every modern city, sometimes referred to as “concrete jungles.”

................................................................................................

That must endear tome to erstwhile British colonial subjects!

Having just read about Caligula et al, that paragraph leads to speculation.

................................................................................................

Having just finished the volume on Greece, that paragraph seems like this author us unaware of Greece, at the very least.

Hmmmmm.

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Table of Contents

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Introduction

Legendary Beginnings

The Senate and the People

Ave Caesar

The Roman Empire

Rulers of the World

The Fall

Legacy

Conclusion

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REVIEW

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Introduction

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December 29, 2022 - December 29, 2022.

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Chapter 1. Legendary Beginnings

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"Oh, little did the Wolf-Child care--

"When first he planned his home,

"What City should arise and bear

"The weight and state of Rome.

"—Rudyard Kipling"

................................................................................................

They've been proud of a heritage of killing your own brother for sake of a kingdom!

That certainly explains the assassinations in Rome - and crucifixions galore in Jerusalem!

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December 29, 2022 - December 29, 2022.

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Chapter 2. The Senate and the People

................................................................................................

"In the beginning, Rome was under the control of the Etruscans, an ancient and advanced society in their own right. ... "

Very badly written, in that author defines nothing of either. What exactly does it mean when he says Rome, or Etruscan? Neither timings nor regions are defined.

"The new government was represented by the initials SPQR, or Senatus Populusque Romanus, the Senate and people of Rome. Roman citizenship was a prize to be proud of and treasured.

................................................................................................

That's so identical a world view held by China, and not recently but always, one must wonder at the deep connection of such identical twin civilisations that differ only in looks.

Very like warlords of China, that.

" ... Rome eventually maintained a professional standing army, but it was early in its development when the Roman army faced its greatest enemy: the ancient city of Carthage in Northern Africa."

Why was Carthage enemy, other than its existence? Again, very China mindset, where everyone else is "foreign devil", "barbarian"!

................................................................................................

"After a major naval battle, Rome was the victor in the First Punic War. As a result, Rome gained the contested island of Sicily with its strategic position between the two powers. ... "

Which particular two powers? Author fails to mention.

" ... Rome also gained a dangerous and devoted enemy in the son of the conquered general, Hannibal Barca."

Author proceeds to discourse on Hannibal without explanation of antecedents.

................................................................................................

Must say, this inspires nothing but disgust, over and above horror, at Rome!

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December 29, 2022 - December 29, 2022.

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Chapter 3. Ave Caesar

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"“It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.”

"—Gaius Julius Caesar"

................................................................................................

So far, good. But then author proceeds to bring fown Julius Caesar!

................................................................................................

That last sentence is very badly written.

................................................................................................

Does Nero seem quite so horrible any more, in comparison?

................................................................................................

"In his will, Tiberius had declared Caligula and a cousin, Tiberius Gemellus, co-rulers of the Empire. As one of his first acts upon ascending to the throne, Caligula had the young Gemellus executed.

................................................................................................

This omission of mentioning the supposedly most important event of West, raises doubts.

It's much more, making one question if the whole story is just made up, or is an encapsuled version of what was done to hundreds, even thousands, of Jews.

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December 29, 2022 - December 29, 2022.

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Chapter 4. The Roman Empire

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So the sack of Jerusalem was historical, as was the siege.

Was crucifixion, of the king of Jews?

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December 29, 2022 - December 29, 2022.

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Chapter 5. Rulers of the World