What holds the greatest Empires together? - Historum

**Isoroku295** · March 12th, 2010, 06:01 PM

What thing holds empires and other gret nations together?

the army? it held rome together but as we can see The mighty German Empire didnt last long (ya i know why but its just an example)

Culture? Yes rome had a roughly equally spread out culture (though with much diversity) considering its size. But Didnt some short lasting Chinese Dynasties have that?

Politics? Democracy has held many a land together, but so has Imperial Rule (Roman Empire).

Other.

**Labienus** · March 12th, 2010, 06:14 PM

I think that Rome showed us that incorporating many of your conquered nations' customs, technology and culture helps an empire to build on solid foundations and get stronger.

**Isoroku295** · March 12th, 2010, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labienus

I think that Rome showed us that incorporating many of your conquered nations' customs, technology and culture helps an empire to build on solid foundations and get stronger.

so are you saying that general assimulation not only of that culture into yours but also your culture into theirs?

**Bismarck** · March 12th, 2010, 06:43 PM

Reputation is what holds an empire together. As soon as the brand loses its reputation people no longer think it worth fighting for.

**Isoroku295** · March 12th, 2010, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bismarck

Reputation is what holds an empire together. As soon as the brand loses its reputation people no longer think it worth fighting for.

huh, interesting concept. so basically its a metter of pride? "im roman, and thats good, i'll stay roman" would help keep it together longer then "awww I'm nazi german, i dont like that, viva la revolution" (yes thats spanish but still). Would it possibly be a mixture of some different concepts?

**Bismarck** · March 12th, 2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isoroku295

huh, interesting concept. so basically its a metter of pride? "im roman, and thats good, i'll stay roman" would help keep it together longer then "awww I'm nazi german, i dont like that, viva la revolution" (yes thats spanish but still). Would it possibly be a mixture of some different concepts?

More than just pride. It might also work like: 'I'm a Gaul but the Roman way seems so much better so I'll fight for them'.

**Labienus** · March 12th, 2010, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isoroku295

so are you saying that general assimulation not only of that culture into yours but also your culture into theirs?

Yep. For example, the romans took greek and egyptians god to form their pantheon, Greek architecture, medicine, etc

Basically what they did was to take every best aspect from the civilizations they conquered to make their own superior.

**okamido** · March 12th, 2010, 08:32 PM

There is a quote I read once and perhaps someone will recognize it and elaborate on its origin. Its basic premise was:

"An Empire forged by war must be maintained by war"

Something to that effect as I don't believe I have it correct. One aspect perhaps of a certain type of Empire.

**plutoboyz** · March 12th, 2010, 10:11 PM

Peace and Law. Sunda can stand from 358-1579 with this.

**Cicero** · March 13th, 2010, 05:28 AM

Offering assimilated peoples citizenship and a better way of life than whey would have had outside the empire...advantages of being in the entity. Rome and China did this exceedingly well.