07-10-2014, 07:45 AM
Bryan wrote: Other veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will recognize these cultural issues. It was like being in on an alien planet sometimes. But in hindsight, the Iraqis had more in common culturally with ancient Romans than we, the Americans, did, as they were fatalistic and superstitious, had a corrupt and incompetent officer class based off patronage system, believed in bravery in battle imbeded as part of culture (like virtus), had similar concepts of family life, tribal powers and the power of the man of the family (like paterfamilia), had similar sexual norms, etc.
This I think answers the original question very well. As he points out, cultural difference determine how close or far removed we find ourselves from other civilisations, be they modern or ancient. Mankind itself has a good many common traits deeply imbedded in our beings, allowing us to co-exist with one another to a greater or lesser extent. I have been to many countries around the globe, even lived there for shorter or longer periods, and have always been struck by how basicly similar we are, but also how great cultural differences (which are taught!!) can be. So an American from the backwoods of Georgia differs greatly from one hailing from New York, but they are closer in common values then that those same Americans are to a Dutchman. Once religion motivated cultural beliefs kick in, the chasm grows deeper very quickly. So the "Romans" were very different from us, just as "us" are very different from one another, once you step outside our universal traits that govern what makes us human.
This I think answers the original question very well. As he points out, cultural difference determine how close or far removed we find ourselves from other civilisations, be they modern or ancient. Mankind itself has a good many common traits deeply imbedded in our beings, allowing us to co-exist with one another to a greater or lesser extent. I have been to many countries around the globe, even lived there for shorter or longer periods, and have always been struck by how basicly similar we are, but also how great cultural differences (which are taught!!) can be. So an American from the backwoods of Georgia differs greatly from one hailing from New York, but they are closer in common values then that those same Americans are to a Dutchman. Once religion motivated cultural beliefs kick in, the chasm grows deeper very quickly. So the "Romans" were very different from us, just as "us" are very different from one another, once you step outside our universal traits that govern what makes us human.
