Spurius

August 30, 2004

Hmmm. In terms of resources, I think Rome was the disadvantaged one. They, however, apparently had more ruthless leaders than Carthage.

Let me research a bit more.

August 21, 2004

Well, when Trajan attacked the Parthians in 113, he was 60 years old. When he stopped almost four years later he was a sick old man who didn't even make it back to Rome.

Just based on that, if he had buzzed through Parthia with no problems and held it with no rebellion Trajan still would have been far too old to attack India. He still had a fair chunk of land to go through to get to India and the native peoples have been known since ancient times to be implacable foes while an invader was in their homeland.

I say Trajan couldn't have invaded India since his manpower, money, resources and health were against it.

August 18, 2004

Four of my favorites from two great Romans:

August 16, 2004

Gaius Mucius Scaevola

August 13, 2004

I posted this list to the describe a Roman battle heading, but it is appropriate here. In explaination, I think that the list should be broken into two parts at the very least. Great generals if you were a soldier, great generals for the nation.

Soldiers List (judgement being made on relative care, feeding, loot and survivability of troops)

1) Caesar- You had a great chance at living through all of his battles if you did what he told you to do. Good $ $ too.

2) Lysander- What can you say about someone who first controlled coasts, pirates and Persians. All without drowning masses of his men.

3) Marius- Father of legions. May not like his discipline but his ideas made being a legionaire survivable.

4) Fabius the Delayer- Didn't have to fear salughter by Hannibal under his command, and he gave confidence back.

5) Aurelianus- Glory and money, with a future emporer no less.

National List (judgement being made on national prestige, loot, lifetime effect on nation, long term outcomes)

1) Alexander- History sings of him and the Hellenized world rocked!

2) Caesar- The key spark for the fire of Empire and greater glory than anyone has seen.

3) Hannibal- Beat Rome at its own game and propped Carthage up for years.

4) Cyrus the Great- Thunder from the east and builder of empire.

5) Agrippa- If not for him, no Augustus and perhaps no stable Roman Empire.

Bear in mind this is completely unscientific and posted with a bit of thought but no research to back up my oft-times faulty memory. Take as you will the fact that I posted it in another thread

Later...

August 13, 2004

I shall sit down and write up a battle this weekend, with any luck (and cooperation from my son).

However, I can add an off-the-cuff (suprious, if you will) list of greatest ancient generals.

I think that the list should be broken into two parts at the very least. Great generals if you were a soldier, great generals for the nation.

Soldier List (judgement being made on relative care, feeding, loot and survivability of troops)