[section9]

Actually, the Roman Empire ceased expanding after the disastrous battle of the Teutoberg Forest in 7 AD. Emperor Augustus did send an army to do a punitive raid afterward, but the Romans never again were an expansionist nation.

Most historians date the high watermark of Roman expansion to the Varus' defeat in the Teutoberg Forest by the Germanic tribes. IIRC, Varus lost nine legions in that engagement. Augustus is said to have wailed over the loss of so many men.

Yet I disagree. I would put Rome's high watermark at a defeat which occured in Syria much earlier. Marcus Crassus attempted to march on Parthia. Strangely enough, Crassus was able to make it across the Euphrates River, but was defeated at the battle of Carrhae. The Parthians subsequently killed Crassus. Julius Caesar was drawing up a campaign to recover the legionary Eagles of Crassus' army when he was assassinated.

Rome would never attempt to deal with the Parthians again.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Kenno]

Anyway, we both agree that the other poster didn't have a clue about the subject he was discussing.

[risk]

Rome would never attempt to deal with the Parthians again.

Might not there be a pattern here, however? Weakness and corruption in domestic leadership, combined with a failure to return and meet one's enemy a second time? I've got a lot to learn about history, so thanks. By the way, I stumbled on the funny "Roman" lyrics below at http://www.larp.com/legioxx/songs.html

BACK IN THE S.P.Q.R.  (by the "Scarabaei") (There are other versions of this out there--I didn't know of them when I wrote this!)
 
Rode about a week along the Appian Way
Didn't get to bed last night
All the way the poultices were on my knee
Man, I had a dreadful ride
 
      I'm back in the SPQR
      You don't know how lucky you are, boys
      Back in the SPQR
 
Been away so long I hardly knew the slaves
Gee, it's good to be back home
Leave until tomorrow to unpack my mule *
Honey, let's just stay in Rome
 
 (chorus)
 
   Well, those Latin girls really knock me out
   They leave the East behind
   And Sabine girls make me sing and shout
   That Julia's always on my... mind
 
Show me round those seven hilltops way down south
Take me to your daddy's farm
Let me hear your third declension ringing out **
Come and keep your citizen warm
 
 (chorus)
 
*  It doesn't rhyme in Latin, either
**  Uncertain, possibly a reference to votive offerings