America & Rome

[Hero Of Troy]

I have noticed striking parallels between Ancient Rome and the United States. Both politically and in many ways culturally. I fear though that America may face the same fate as Rome! Maybe if we look to the past we can avoid this fate. Does anybody else agree to the similarity of Rome and the United States both politically and culturally?

[Jingles]

What, you feel America will split itself in two, with the western half being overwhelmed by hordes of German immigrants?

[Tiberius Tosi]

What, you feel America will split itself in two, with the western half being overwhelmed by hordes of German immigrants?

Lol.

American, like all superpowers, will eventually lose influence and power. It will probably not cease to exist like Rome, and will almost certainly not be conquered. It will not become an obsolete piece of crap, it will just become less powerful when compared to other nations as they catch up.

And in many ways the US is more powerful militarily and economically than Rome. Rome was powerful, but risk of it falling was always there, no matter what we like to think. Militarily, there is little that can actually challenge the US, nuclear war being an odd exception and is not exactly war anyways.

[Enemy of the State]

I think you have some explaining to do.

[empr guy]

Lol.

American, like all superpowers, will eventually lose influence and power. It will probably not cease to exist like Rome, and will almost certainly not be conquered. It will not become an obsolete piece of crap, it will just become less powerful when compared to other nations as they catch up.
.

it will become Britain? D: or mabe spain

And i'd say yes, there are similarities, and yes, there are differences between Rome and the US, although more differences...

[hellheaven1987]

What, you feel America will split itself in two, with the western half being overwhelmed by hordes of German immigrants?

No, it would split into North and South, with South part got overrun by Mexicon immigrants.

Now we just need someone to chase Mexicons into flight!!!!

[Caelius]

The similarities between the US and Rome are the architectural influences on the designs of most government buildings in Washington DC.

That's about it, which in itself isn't really much since almost every Western government has been influenced by the legacy of Rome. The Holy Roman Empire? France under Louis XIV? The British Empire? Hell, Russia practically coined itself the "Third Rome" for crying out loud.

[RVFVS]

I am so TIRED of hearing this. Ok, similarities:

1. The Eagle is national symbol (this isn't new either LOTS of people have the Eagle, lots)

2. DC architecture is Roman styled (once again other nations have used it)

3. In our lifetime the U.S has been the most powerful nation I can friggin GUARANTEE you that when the UK was super-power numero uno there were arguments of the exact same caliber. (and actually the UK is a little like Rome, much more so then the U.S at least)

Now differences:

1. Political system. The U.S divides the military and the politicians (albeit some soldiers have become politicians but in Rome is was usually the other way around).

2. Parties!! There were NO political parties in ancient Rome. Sure, there were small groupings of like-minded individuals but ALL were ultimately after power and glory for themselves, not their party.

3. Doctrine. The U.S and Rome WERE similar in their doctrine for a little while but when Rome began to conquer alot (in the 1st century BC) they literally would march into land that they (often) did not have contact with and take it over. (example, when Pompey marched into to Arabia and took a bit of it when he was supposed to be on a campaign to defeat Mithridates who was up in Pontus at the time).

4. Attitude. Rome was FAR more intelligent the America. The U.S has managed to become a super power through good breaks and taking advantage of situations. Rome became a superpower through sheer force and skill and often was almost destroyed. The two nations are completely unsimilar in their citizens attitude toward expansion and imperialism.

I could go on but I tire of typing such obvious reasons.

[Hattushilish]

Two things:

- Rome had an enormous trade deficit, with ships coming into Ostia filled with goods from all around the world, then leaving with their hulls completely empty.

- Once Rome started to run out of money, it debased its currency again and again.

[RomanSoldier9001]

[QUOTE=RVFVS;7503969]I am so TIRED of hearing this. Ok, similarities:

3. In our lifetime the U.S has been the most powerful nation I can friggin GUARANTEE you that when the UK was super-power numero uno there were arguments of the exact same caliber. (and actually the UK is a little like Rome, much more so then the U.S at least)

Roman Empire as Colonial Super Power worldwide? I dont think UK and Roman Empire share that so many smilitaries I think each Empire is unique in is on way but I would guess that UK you probaly could compare to other European Colonial Powers Portugal,Spain,France,Dutch etc.Not with Roman Empire..

2. Parties!! There were NO political parties in ancient Rome. Sure, there were small groupings of like-minded individuals but ALL were ultimately after power and glory for themselves, not their party.

Seek glory and powers? thats smilitary not a difference

3. Doctrine. The U.S and Rome WERE similar in their doctrine for a little while but when Rome began to conquer alot (in the 1st century BC) they literally would march into land that they (often) did not have contact with and take it over. (example, when Pompey marched into to Arabia and took a bit of it when he was supposed to be on a campaign to defeat Mithridates who was up in Pontus at the time).

When they were smilar?

4. Attitude. Rome was FAR more intelligent the America. The U.S has managed to become a super power through good breaks and taking advantage of situations. Rome became a superpower through sheer force and skill and often was almost destroyed. The two nations are completely unsimilar in their citizens attitude toward expansion and imperialism.

Hurra to that XD.

[Farnan]

The similarities between the US and Rome are the architectural influences on the designs of most government buildings in Washington DC.

That's about it, which in itself isn't really much since almost every Western government has been influenced by the legacy of Rome. The Holy Roman Empire? France under Louis XIV? The British Empire? Hell, Russia practically coined itself the "Third Rome" for crying out loud.

Actually no, thats not it.

The Founding Fathers looked to the Roman Republic for inspiration in creating the US (along with the Iroquois, British Chartist movement, British philosophers, American governmental philosophy, and French philosophers). The Senate is named after the Roman Senate, and the office of the President is based off that of the Roman Consul (except they changed it to one person, and increased the time he would stay in office, in exchange he could be overruled by Congress). The idea of Seperation of Powers came both from the American experience (royal appointed governors held executive power but elected state legislatures held the purse strings and legislative power) and from Rome via Montensque.

[cottontail]

What, you feel America will split itself in two, with the western half being overwhelmed by hordes of German immigrants?

well...maybe not GERMAN immigrants

But me personally, I can see some similarities between Rome and America. However, they are two different civilizations, and America, if it collapses at all ( which I find unlikely) will do so in a different way than Rome. Rome's military was overstretched. While ours is also, there is no immediate threat to our actual borders, meaning a military collapse is unlikely. If we will collapse, it will be an economic issue.

[Yoni]

In the future, the US will not be rememberd as a ''modern emprie'', more like a strong country with alot of political power that sometimes used too muce power over a few third world countries, You can't compare them to the Roman Empire or even the British Emprie.

So no, the US will not end up like ancient Rome.

[Captain Jin]

The future of the United States isn't in danger. It's not going to collapse like Rome. The only thing is that we'll probably see another multi-polar world in the future where America isn't the sole strong-man.

[removeduser_4536284751384]

it will lose power after a while

and after anotehr while may regain it again

depends on what happens

[Heathen Hammer]

When I first saw the title of this thread I saw "America vs Rome".

Anyways, US already rose to the highest peak of its power in 1990s, but it won't be the only world power soon. It will remain an important player for a while thou. Maybe it will divide into several smaller states with less influence around the world, and will become more easier for the rest of the world to manage.

[Captain Jin]

Maybe it will divide into several smaller states with less influence around the world, and will become more easier for the rest of the world to manage.

Why do you cling to the idea that the US will divide into smaller states? There's no reason to think that would ever happen whatsoever.

[xcorps]

Why do you cling to the idea that the US will divide into smaller states? There's no reason to think that would ever happen whatsoever.

They'll never give up hope.

I'd be interested in the OP and others providing some examples of the cultural and political similarities.

[Heathen Hammer]

Why do you cling to the idea that the US will divide into smaller states? There's no reason to think that would ever happen whatsoever.

There is a huge history of separatism in US. If economy gets worse, such ideas could become strong again.

[Vermelho_Steele]

There is a huge history of separatism in US. If economy gets worse, such ideas could become strong again.

The only places were sepratism presently exists (as I heard) is in Texas, Alaska and Hawaii; even then most people in those States don't support seccession, it's also illegal in the Constitution and wouldn't be tolerated by the government or the Supreme Court or even the masses in general. It's like saying western Russia is going to lose eastern Russia due to demographic differences.

No State in the Union seceded during the Great Depression either, so you economic arguement is incorrect. Also, what is the 'huge history' of 'strong sepratism' you speak of? The Civil War and the odd case for State-hood are the only things I can recall.