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Explanation: The Romans placed a relatively high value on the idea of Iustum Bellum - just war. Now, this was certainly not always adhered to - and furthermore, was often very far from ‘just’ as we would recognize it. But the Romans regarded the process of morally justifying their wars as something that made them superior to barbarian polities.
Huh. TIL. Ty.
I mean, doesn’t every society attempt to morally justify their wars of conquest within the framework of their own social mores?
I can’t exactly think of a society who thought of themselves as evil for expanding their holdings…
It’s less about good and evil, and more about justification. You have to remember that the pre-modern period was still very much a time of naked self-interest (as opposed to obfuscated self-interest) - it wasn’t so much that the non-Roman peoples thought of themselves as evil (or that the Romans thought of non-Roman peoples as thinking of themselves as evil), but that they saw less need to create elaborate justifications for participating in what was a common behavior of society at the time.
When the Gauls and Germanics went on raids, their thinking wasn’t “Dohohoho, time to commit some CRIMES”, but rather, “This is the way the world works, I’m taking an opportunity”, the way that a merchant might eye a good deal. The Romans, if you will, saw there as being an additional ‘barrier’ of a need for justification to go and murder and plunder their enemies without the slightest hint of conscience - typically “They broke a specific clause in a treaty” or “They refused to deliver justice to a Roman citizen”.
You have to remember that the pre-modern period was still very much a time of naked self-interest
As opposed to now? I think believing we are inherently different than ancient people is a byproduct of how we record and review historical context.
When the US invaded Iraq, it was professing to “spread freedom”. A couple decades later and it’s pretty apparent that freedom was a pretext to fulfill thinly veiled self interest.
When the Gauls and Germanics went on raids, their thinking wasn’t “Dohohoho, time to commit some CRIMES”, but rather, “This is the way the world works, I’m taking an opportunity”, the way that a merchant might eye a good deal
How exactly are we determining this? Thats probably what the Romans thought of the Germanic tribes and the Gauls, but we don’t exactly have a lot of primary sources from the people we’re talking about. Of course the empire is going to boil down their enemies motives while guiding their own.
The Romans, if you will, saw there as being an additional ‘barrier’ of a need for justification to go and murder and plunder their enemies without the slightest hint of conscience - typically
I don’t really see any evidence of this… Most of their justifications were just to convince others in the ruling class to get on board with one person’s or a groups personal vendetta or get rich quick scheme.
The Romans didn’t really need a justification to rape and pillage their own cities, let alone others.
As opposed to now? I think believing we are inherently different than ancient people is a byproduct of how we record and review historical context.
… believing that we’re culturally similar to ancient peoples is an incredibly dangerous and distorting way to view the past.
When the US invaded Iraq, it was professing to “spread freedom”. A couple decades later and it’s pretty apparent that freedom was a pretext to fulfill thinly veiled self interest.
Where to begin?
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“Obfuscated self-interest” was specified.
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The justification for the illegal invasion of Iraq wasn’t to ‘spread freedom’, it was a (false) allegation of violation of international law regarding possession of WMDs.
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What self-interest was fulfilled by invading Iraq? Ideology was a bigger factor there than any conception of national self-interest.
How exactly are we determining this? Thats probably what the Romans thought of the Germanic tribes and the Gauls, but we don’t exactly have a lot of primary sources from the people we’re talking about. Of course the empire is going to boil down their enemies motives while guiding their own.
Because the Greeks and the Persians wrote of their own motivations in largely the same way - largely sans justification. Because both later and earlier European civilizations wrote of their motivations in the same way. Because just-war theory doesn’t re-emerge until the ascendency of Christianity and Islam, and even then, it is usually ignored in internecine faith conflicts until the 16th century AD.
I don’t really see any evidence of this… Most of their justifications were just to convince others in the ruling class to get on board with one person’s or a groups personal vendetta or get rich quick scheme.
What evidence would you accept? How much should I fetch for you?
The Romans didn’t really need a justification to rape and pillage their own cities, let alone others.
What
Obfuscated self-interest" was specified.
Right, But you also claimed that other societies at the time didn’t do the same…
My point was that all societies thinly veil their self interest.
justification for the illegal invasion of Iraq wasn’t to ‘spread freedom’, it was a (false) allegation of violation of international law regarding possession of WMDs.
Lol, a bit of a pedantic argument. It and Afghanistan were obviously marketed as a stand for “freedom” at the time.
What self-interest was fulfilled by invading Iraq? Ideology was a bigger factor there than any conception of national self-interest.
You’re asking what self interest the Bush administration had for invading Iraq…? How much time do you have?
Because the Greeks and the Persians wrote of their own motivations in largely the same way - largely sans justification.
First of all, Persians and Greek often justified their conquest via the gods, or nationalism.
Secondly Motivation and justifications can be the same thing depending on the social mores of the society.
Lastly, you are utilizing examples of societies where the only people who were writing within the historical context were part of the ruling structure. Thats akin to getting acess to the email of Dick Cheney’s actual motivations for invading Iraq vs the story they told the media.
What evidence would you accept? How much should I fetch for you?
Any would be a good start?
What
During the year of 4 emperors Cremona was occupied by vitellian troops, they battled an army outside Cremona led by Antonius and lost. Cremona immediately surrendered and was subsequently raped and pillaged for no good reason.
“Antonius then attacked Cremona, which surrendered. Cremona was sacked and then burned by the victorious troops over four days; many residents were raped, murdered and robbed.[3] Antonius was embarrassed by the episode and forbade the keeping of Cremonans as slaves, resulting in many being murdered by their captors to evade punishment.[4]”
Edit: accidentally skipped your first claim
believing that we’re culturally similar to ancient peoples is an incredibly dangerous and distorting way to view the past.
This is kinda ridiculous considering that our legal and political bodies are highly influenced specifically by the Romans, who were in turn highly influenced by the Greek and Persians.
Right, But you also claimed that other societies at the time didn’t do the same…
My point was that all societies thinly veil their self interest.
How many quotes will it take from societies not veiling their self-interest and, in fact, taking great pride in their naked self-interest, would it take to change your mind? Or is that a lost cause?
Lol, a bit of a pedantic argument. It and Afghanistan were obviously marketed as a stand for “freedom” at the time.
Jesus Christ.
You’re asking what self interest the Bush administration had for invading Iraq…? How much time do you have?
Enough time to easily show that ideological concerns were major, and national interest was minimal, despite the claims peddled.
First of all, Persians and Greek often justified their conquest via the gods, or nationalism.
Holy shit. We’re really just applying the casus belli of much later periods to antiquity, because it ‘feels right’, huh?
Secondly Motivation and justifications can be the same thing depending on the social mores of the society.
That’s an excellent way of saying nothing useful at all.
Lastly, you are utilizing examples of societies where the only people who were writing within the historical context were part of the ruling structure. Thats akin to getting acess to the email of Dick Cheney’s actual motivations for invading Iraq vs the story they told the media.
Oh, okay, so we’re changing our argument from “It was only the Romans who wrote about the matter!” to “All pre-modern writing is untrustworthy!”, cool cool cool.
Any would be a good start?
Why would I fetch anything without criteria for what would be regarded as a valid counterargument? I’ve done this stupid fucking dance with too many fucking people to count - people who come in with bizarre preconceptions about the past and have no interest in re-examining them, who freely dismiss any evidence given and delight in pissing away time and effort.
Tell me what you’ll accept as valid, or there’s no point in me playing dumb games for you to move the goalposts like you did with the judgement of written sources in general already.
During the year of 4 emperors Cremona was occupied by vitellian troops, they battled an army outside Cremona led by Antonius and lost. Cremona immediately surrendered and was subsequently raped and pillaged for no good reason.
“A city during the first civil war in almost 100 years was looted by out-of-control troops hailing from the other side of the Empire against their commander’s orders and was roundly condemned by the histories”, clearly, you have proven that the Romans loved looting their own cities for no reason.
This is kinda ridiculous considering that our legal and political bodies are highly influenced specifically by the Romans, who were in turn highly influenced by the Greek and Persians.
I can trace Roman legal influence in the West through some 1500 years, and let me fucking tell you, that’s a very far cry from being culturally similar to the fucking Romans at any point, much less the diverse sources Western influence of some 500 years of Roman law drew from.
How many quotes will it take from societies not veiling their self-interest and, in fact, taking great pride in their naked self-interest, would it take to change your mind? Or is that a lost cause?
Well you haven’t give men any quotes, even if you had isolated quotes aren’t exactly enough to even make a reductionist claim that the Romans were the only people justifying their conquest.
Enough time to easily show that ideological concerns were major
What ideological shift occurred between the time of the first and second gulf war? You are honestly claiming that the bush administration wasn’t motivated by things as simple as consolidating power under the administration, or even things like halliburton getting tens of billions of dollars?
Holy shit. We’re really just applying the casus belli of much later periods to antiquity, because it ‘feels right’, huh?
Lol, you’re saying going to war over a God’s will only happened after the Romans? You do know some of the earliest recordings of wars occured in ancient mesopotamia utilizing capturing the idols of gods as a pretext.
okay, so we’re changing our argument from “It was only the Romans who wrote about the matter!” to “All pre-modern writing is untrustworthy!”, cool cool cool.
I never claimed that it was only the Romans…that’s your argument which I am rebutting.
I am saying that sources need to be examined within their historical context.
Why would I fetch anything without criteria for what would be regarded as a valid counterargument? I’ve done this stupid fucking dance with too many fucking people to count
Ahh yes, everyone else is the problem…not me, the only common denominator.
bizarre preconceptions about the past and have no interest in re-examining them, who freely dismiss any evidence given and delight in pissing away time and effort.
You’ve literally not given any evidence. I’m the only person in this particular argument who’s used sourced material.
A city during the first civil war in almost 100 years was looted by out-of-control troops hailing from the other side of the Empire against their commander’s orders and was roundly condemned by the histories", clearly, you have proven that the Romans loved looting their own cities for no reason.
Lol, so salty that I provided a source despite your baffled “What?”
There are plenty of examples of similar events throughout the history of Rome.
Roman legal influence in the West through some 1500 years, and let me fucking tell you, that’s a very far cry from being culturally similar
I forgot I was talking to the dictator of cultures… I so glad you could make that opinion of your official.
What ideological shift occurred between the time of the first and second gulf war?
… do you think the First Gulf War wasn’t waged on ideological grounds…?
Lol, you’re saying going to war over a God’s will only happened after the Romans? You do know some of the earliest recordings of wars occured in ancient mesopotamia utilizing capturing the idols of gods as a pretext.
I would say it’s astounding that you’re so goddamn close to the point yet missing it, but it’s really not. Do I have to outline why stealing idols is different from religiously justified wars, or is naked theft a justification in your mind?
I never claimed that it was only the Romans…that’s your argument which I am rebutting.
This you?
How exactly are we determining this? Thats probably what the Romans thought of the Germanic tribes and the Gauls, but we don’t exactly have a lot of primary sources from the people we’re talking about. Of course the empire is going to boil down their enemies motives while guiding their own.
I am saying that sources need to be examined within their historical context.
This you?
Lastly, you are utilizing examples of societies where the only people who were writing within the historical context were part of the ruling structure. Thats akin to getting acess to the email of Dick Cheney’s actual motivations for invading Iraq vs the story they told the media.
Ahh yes, everyone else is the problem…not me, the only common denominator.
Me: “Give me your criteria for valid sources and I’ll gladly provide them.”
Wow, yes, clearly I am the one being unreasonable. Excuse me while I go fetch a dozen quotes so you can say something brilliant like “Well, those were the ELITES, of COURSE they would say that” or “Well, that’s a ROMAN source, of COURSE they would say that” or “It’s just one/two/ten/twenty quotes, you can’t just extrapolate from that!” You know, things you’ve already fucking said. Things I’ve literally quoted you fucking saying.
Excuse me for not being a fucking moron without pattern recognition skills for how people with no fucking foundation on a topic argue for their ‘intuitive’ preconceptions.
Lol, so salty that I provided a source despite your baffled “What?”
Salty is when I outline why the incident doesn’t say what you think it does and you have no actual response to that. Okay. Fantastic.
There are plenty of examples of similar events throughout the history of Rome.
Holy shit, are you really sitting here saying “War without cause is when there’s a revolt or civil war, and the more revolt or civil war there is, the less justification is used for it”?
I forgot I was talking to the dictator of cultures… I so glad you could make that opinion of your official.
“Dictatorship is when you say something that contradicts my assertion” - A Very Brilliant Commenter, apparently
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I can’t exactly think of a society who thought of themselves as evil for expanding their holdings…
Well, what about… the Galactic Empire under Emperor Palpatine?
I only fight just wars, therefore all my enemies are ontologically evil therefore all actions against them are justified
