book. Roberts, the author of several books on
ancient Rome, is a Jefferson City resident and former teacher.
Julie Smith/News Tribune
Posted on 03/24/2003 6:55:58 PM PST by rface
The supremacy of the American military force today parallels few other periods in history, with the exception of the Roman Republic, history professor Timothy Roberts said Wednesday.
Roberts, who teaches graduate courses in military history at Lincoln University, is the author of eight history books, including a coffee-table tome entitled, "Ancient Rome." However, many people likely remember Roberts as a teacher of Latin and American history at Jefferson City High School. Roberts retired in 1998.
For 900 years, Rome was the dominant power holding sway over the Mediterranean world. For nearly 500 years, Rome functioned as a "republic," meaning the power of the nation resided in a body of citizens entitled to vote and represented by officials who governed according to law.
"Both cultures were the 'mega-powers' of their worlds. So, like the Romans, we feel justified in projecting our will on the rest of the world," said Roberts. "I'm at a loss to know if that is right or wrong. But it may not be a totally bad thing."
Roberts holds a cautiously positive attitude toward the conflict in Iraq.
He added: "How we are perceived by history depends on what we do when we win. Do we create a viable, functioning democracy? Or does (Iraq) slide back to the autocracy that Arab nations seem to be plagued with?"
He also sees political similarities between the two civilizations.
"The most obvious similarity is that by the late Roman Republic, two parties -- the Optimates and Populares -- had frozen the legislature's ability to accomplish anything of substance. The Romans turned to the law courts to accomplish political goals," he said. "I see the same thing happening today."
Roberts said terrible civil wars started and dictatorships flourished when the Roman government became immobilized. But he said other nations still welcomed Rome's protection.
Roberts said -- with the exception of the Druids -- when Rome conquered a nation, rebellions were quelled quickly because Roman leaders didn't seek to enforce a new religion.
"You got a lot for being in the Empire," Roberts explained. "Self-government, security, trade relations, economic well-being, language and the benefits of the Roman culture. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the ancient Roman empire was that the government preserved the general well-being of such a great number of cultures and people over such a large area."
To protect the Empire, the Roman Republic -- much like the U.S. -- also relied upon a volunteer, professional army of citizen-soldiers, rather than conscription.
Rome ruled the lands edging the Mediterranean Sea. Its rule did not extend to all of modern-day Iraq, which at the time of the Republic was a part of the Parthian kingdom, a wealthy Mesopotamian nation.
Rome rarely fought the Parthians. "Parthia was too far away, protected by vast deserts and mountains. The Roman empire had gone as far as she could go," Roberts explained.
Roberts, who hold a Ph.D. in Medieval History from the University of Missouri-Columbia, has written five books on the ancient world and three books on Missouri history, one of which he co-authored with L.U. professor Tony Holland. Roberts said his ancient history books are not scholarly accounts, but are intended for a high school- or college-educated audience wanting to learn more about history.
Roberts also is retired from 26 years of service with the Missouri National Guard. In the Guard, Roberts served with a U.S. military history detachment. Following the Panama conflict, his unit gathered information and documents to send to the Center for Military History.
Roberts credits his wife, Iris, with editing his books and his son, Morgan, with helping him find success in the publishing world. Until she retired in 1998, Iris taught philosophy and psychology at Jefferson City High School.
Morgan and his family live in Brooklyn, N.Y.
"The nicest thing is my wife, who will take a page of typed script and with crossmarks turn it into a lovely piece of prose," he said.
Today, the couple enjoys traveling to exotic locations including New Zealand, Europe and Turkey.
For at least the first 300 of these years Rome was merely one of many states fighting for supremacy in Italy. It wasn't until after the First Punic War that Rome became dominant in the Mediterranean.
Fiddled while Rome burned.
You never know what you'll find when you dig in the garbage can.
I think I will buy a copy of his book....My wife (SavageRepublican) been buying ancient Roman Coins on eBay for a year or so, and I have picked up some of the history and why not.... sure.....I'll buy a copy...
Ancient Rome
(Chronicles of the Roman World)
by Timothy R. Roberts
What a lucky guy.
America is much like the Roman Republic, but due to our geographic location we only have provinces by proxy. Our 'manifest destiny' credo is alot like the growth of the early Republic, but the narives were much less civilized here(or were they?). I consider Clinton/Gore to be Caligula/Nero. lol
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