They also imagine the Indians as one cohesive unit, instead of a number of tribes that had their own politics and conflicts. Some tribes loved us, and then there were some that hated us. You know the more I describe them, the more they sound like actual people.
Not just the Indians it happens with the barbarian tribes that overthrew the Western Roman Empire. These were just "immigrants" seeking to better themselves and it was a peaceful transition from Empire to the fractured Barbarian Successor states. Peter Heather in his Fall of Rome book does an excellent job refuting that idea. Well researched and written I highly recommend it.
He does. Early chapters talk about the idea of Romaness spreading and being adopted beyond Rome and to her provinces. Many examples. To juxtapose the differences between Caesar's Gaul and 4th and 5th century Gaul. One of the example of a renowned Latin orator born near Bordeaux and his interactions/letters with Symmachus a late 4th century Roman born Senator and Symmachus' praise of his poetry and Latin. A true born son of Rome and Senator praising a Gallic born Roman and his mastery of Latin. It's a great read, really fascinating.
Thanks, saved the comment to look up the author. Ancient Rome, Greece, all that interests me, particularly the end of the Western Empire and it's continuation in the East. (John Julius Norwich has a 3 Volume Masterpiece on the Rise and Fall of Byzantium and a condensed paperback of the trilogy. Norwich was a great author.) Appreciate the tip on the author,thanks again.
Neat, the Eastern Empire is the area where I have the weakest grasp, so I am definitely excited to look into that. No problem thanks for the tips as well!
It wasn't peaceful, but the fall of the western empire wasn't the barbarian fueled armageddon many portray it as either.
People seem to forget that the barbarian tribes were just that -- not one group. Many of the Germanic tribes (who are the ones principally remembered -- Attila notwithstanding) were Christianized, many had served in the legions (prior to the fall, but a fact many like to forget: Arminius was fighting against his own brother, Flavus) and were partially Romanized; a lot of them took to Romanization fairly quickly as it had some definite perks.
As with everything else, I'd say it was a bit of all -- the good and the bad.
Exactly! How do they not notice how racist it is, saying Indians were all just living peacefully together singing kumbaya? They're not some exotic pet, specially bred to live at one with nature. They're people, human beings that do good things and bad!
They also imagine the Indians as one cohesive unit, instead of a number of tribes that had their own politics and conflicts. Some tribes loved us, and then there were some that hated us. You know the more I describe them, the more they sound like actual people.
Not just the Indians it happens with the barbarian tribes that overthrew the Western Roman Empire. These were just "immigrants" seeking to better themselves and it was a peaceful transition from Empire to the fractured Barbarian Successor states. Peter Heather in his Fall of Rome book does an excellent job refuting that idea. Well researched and written I highly recommend it.
I'd love to read it. I know that a huge portion of Gaul was very "Romanized" as well. Does he go into that?
He does. Early chapters talk about the idea of Romaness spreading and being adopted beyond Rome and to her provinces. Many examples. To juxtapose the differences between Caesar's Gaul and 4th and 5th century Gaul. One of the example of a renowned Latin orator born near Bordeaux and his interactions/letters with Symmachus a late 4th century Roman born Senator and Symmachus' praise of his poetry and Latin. A true born son of Rome and Senator praising a Gallic born Roman and his mastery of Latin. It's a great read, really fascinating.
thanks for the recommendation. I absolutely love books about ancient Rome. For the record, Robin Lane Smith the classical world was excellent as well.
Thanks, saved the comment to look up the author. Ancient Rome, Greece, all that interests me, particularly the end of the Western Empire and it's continuation in the East. (John Julius Norwich has a 3 Volume Masterpiece on the Rise and Fall of Byzantium and a condensed paperback of the trilogy. Norwich was a great author.) Appreciate the tip on the author,thanks again.
Neat, the Eastern Empire is the area where I have the weakest grasp, so I am definitely excited to look into that. No problem thanks for the tips as well!
It wasn't peaceful, but the fall of the western empire wasn't the barbarian fueled armageddon many portray it as either.
People seem to forget that the barbarian tribes were just that -- not one group. Many of the Germanic tribes (who are the ones principally remembered -- Attila notwithstanding) were Christianized, many had served in the legions (prior to the fall, but a fact many like to forget: Arminius was fighting against his own brother, Flavus) and were partially Romanized; a lot of them took to Romanization fairly quickly as it had some definite perks.
As with everything else, I'd say it was a bit of all -- the good and the bad.
Exactly! How do they not notice how racist it is, saying Indians were all just living peacefully together singing kumbaya? They're not some exotic pet, specially bred to live at one with nature. They're people, human beings that do good things and bad!