THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Here are two pictures of one of my imperial Roman minis from the reign of Trajan. Also, I have included a picture of my whole Republican Roman army.

(They are all 28mm foundry, or crusader miniatures figures)

Ancient Romans have been one of my favorite subjects since the time I was very young. Out of all ancient peoples they seemed to be the most like Americans. Both of our nations (some say empires) started out as a heaven for outcasts and misfits. We were a subject of the British Empire, Rome was subservient to the Etruscans; and then we both overthrew our masters and created a Republic!

Both Romans and Americans were problem solvers and inventors; Americans may not be the greatest academics, but we can see a problem, and adapt to it, and find a solution. The Romans were the same way if not more so, they invented modern urban planing, and created countless inventions to deal with the large populations of cities(aqueducts, massive sanitary systems, food handouts, mass entertainment). Even as the massive Roman Empire crumbled they managed to adapt and change to keep the whole thing running. They knew they could not maintain the massive empire on the highly skilled loyal heavy infantrymen, which took a stable empire to back them up.Yet, a new approach was developing. Third century Emperors spent little time at Rome, often spending most of their careers in the frontier provinces where the action was. Naturally enough they tended to take their court around with them and attached to this was the comitatus or 'companions', at first (perhaps under Gallienus in mid-century) an assemblage of cavalry units possibly intended to form a highly mobile central reserve which would enable the Emperor to respond rapidly to any new incursions (or usurpations?) that might arise. Many such field armies were created to replace the legions. No longer was Rome defended by hundreds of thousands of heavy infantry men who could defeat any nations armies in pitched battles; but her armies were now comprised of small cavalry and light infantry units that could be trained more easily in turbulent times, and were effective at repulsing barbarian raids.

Moreover, both America and ancient Rome were (are) meritocracies. Out of all the socities that have existed Rome and America are the two that anyone could rise from the lowest of ranks to the highest places of power.