[SunkenCiv]

Hail, Rome!
by Matt Roush

Starting in 52 B.C., as Rome nervously awaits Julius Caesar's return after the conquest of Gaul, the story is told largely from the perspective of two soldiers: upright and humorless Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and recklessly bawdy Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson). They're an unlikely and entertaining odd couple, our windows to a Britaly -- Italy with British accents -- that teems with political and sexual intrigue.

[johnny7]

“ ...that teems with political and sexual intrigue.

Historical fare for the 'West Wing' audience.

[BenLurkin]

I tell Ben Jr. Rome in its declining decades must have looked very similar to what is happening to America today.

(Moral/social decline, erosion of political checks and balances, massive invasions of culturally different immigrants)

All the more the shame since America is much superior in concept and purpose than Rome if not in achievement. It was the high point of western civilization: an enlightenment political systems melded with a christian social base. We did not deserve to suffer the fate of Rome. Historically we once had much in common with the wonderful Dutch Republic that sprang up after expulsion of the Spanish.

But it is in the nature of history that nations, like trees, have limited life spans. Only the tremendous redwoods of China and India extend over the millenia. The lovely cherry tree that was the American Republic has blossomed and born fruit and is now dying.

The United States will continue to exist in name only; populated by people who have no memory or understanding of the principals upon which it was founded and who are culturally incapable of conducting affairs in the manner conceived by the founding fathers. It is instead likely to become a major component in some terrible global political system.

Winston Churchill correctly predicted a "new dark ages made all the more sinister and prolonged by the terrible powers of science". A second renaissance may never come and if it does it will be long off.