Which is better Rome or Carthage? - Historum

Vercingtorix · July 1st, 2012, 04:02 PM

I think Rome is because of the effect it had on history as a whole. We learned all kinds of architectural technologies from them like the arch, concrete and modern road construction. Also look at our culture. Every day we see references to roman culture like the planets, law and medical terms, and even names. Maria is a derivative of the latin word for sea Mare. Most of the English language is derived from Latin. Look at French, Spanish, and Italian. Those languages are all based in Latin.

After you vote post your reasoning behind your choice.

Delenda est Roma · July 1st, 2012, 04:08 PM

I vote Carthage. Their treatise on farming, seamanship trading and exploring were miraculous. Much less prone to conquer the world than the Romans who were only expansionist. Carthage arguably had the better government similar to the British parliament.

Mroto1017 · July 1st, 2012, 04:37 PM

"better"? You'll have to define what you mean by "better" because that can mean whatever you want it to mean. Obviously "better" can't mean "Who would have won if they fought" because we already have the answer to that one

Do you mean "which peoples were more benevolent"? I'd probably be inclined to go with the guys who weren't slaughtering infants in the name of their god.
Do you mean "which peoples would you rather live under?" That's always a hard decision because both choices are invariably going to be crummy by our standards.
Do you mean "which peoples fascinates you more as an area of study?" which of course is matter of pure opinion (and I'm going to have to go with the one that had a much longer lasting history than the other)

Delenda est Roma · July 1st, 2012, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mroto1017

"better"? You'll have to define what you mean by "better" because that can mean whatever you want it to mean. Obviously "better" can't mean "Who would have won if they fought" because we already have the answer to that one

Do you mean "which peoples were more benevolent"? I'd probably be inclined to go with the guys who weren't slaughtering infants in the name of their god.
Do you mean "which peoples would you rather live under?" That's always a hard decision because both choices are invariably going to be crummy by our standards.
Do you mean "which peoples fascinates you more as an area of study?" which of course is matter of pure opinion (and I'm going to have to go with the one that had a much longer lasting history than the other)

Rome also practiced human sacrifice.....

Vercingtorix · July 1st, 2012, 04:48 PM

Rome and Carthage arent really full of human rights activists.

**pixi666** · July 1st, 2012, 05:20 PM

It's a silly question. Better in what sense? What are your criteria supposed to be? Do you mean 'which do you prefer'? Because, objectively, no civilization is 'better' than another.

Vercingtorix · July 1st, 2012, 05:25 PM

Which do you prefer would be a better question. I just want to see people's reasons behind their choice.

MinoanGoddess · July 1st, 2012, 06:16 PM

**Mandate of Heaven** · July 1st, 2012, 06:45 PM

I wonder why Hannibal is by far a more popular name than Scipio.

Delenda est Roma · July 1st, 2012, 06:49 PM

Hannibal was a genius, he crushed the Romans repeatedly, he was a very charismatic and personally appealing man, he didnt just fight for Carthage, he died for his cause, he crossed the Alps, overcame huge odds. He's one of the most colorful ancients