Romans?

[PedroSteckecilo]

The Romans were called Roman's because they were from Rome and since, prior to the Roman Empire, Italy was not a unified nation in any sense of the word there were many different peoples on the peninsula. The Romans themselves were just one city state among many others similar to Athens and Sparta in Greece. Eventually many of the Italians came to think of themselves as Romans rather than Italians but once the Western Empire fell, Romans became purely members of that one city and you had groups of Venitians, Florentines, Napolese, Sicilians etc.

 

[Addendum_Forthcoming]

I dunno, I grew up in Boston and by that logic "Beat LA" and "Yankees Suck" chants sure sound like a proud continuation of that European tradition.

Well yeah, Europe has regained a little sanity in the last 20 years. As for American history (as far as I know, I haven't studied it prolifically) has had a history of insular and isolationist policy even between states and the Federal government.

But unless I'm mistaken the US hasn't historically suffered as poorly as europe when it comes to soccer (or other sports) brawls. During the 70's in Britain for example, there were places where you didn't go UNLESS you were a supporter of a specific city soccer team.

'Threat of harm' label didn't really cover the instances of mass beatings and extreme violence perpetrated by the 'fans' (complete dickheads by any long extension).

People took matters of city (and even intra-city matters such as Manchester City and Manchester United soccer brawls of the 70's) as matters of personal reference and pride beyond national concerns.

'Football Hooliganism' they term it now I believe (albeit I remember it being called 'roughs' and 'roughhousings' but I'm probably older than most people online) still causes loss of life and massive infrastructure damage through vandalism and property damage.

As well as I know (albeit with no prolonged studied of American or Canadian society) these are not as analogous in former Western colonies.

For example ... State of Origin rugby series in Australia is about NSW vs Queensland in Australia ... and the slander you hear (even by news reporters on tv) would make most people blush ... but after all is said and done 'blues' and "maroons' still can sit down and drink together (despite incessant name calling).

Which sounds tantemount to your 'Yankees suck'-'LA Rules' situation. Namecalling and nothing else. Not really comparable to Europe.

 

[Fraught]

Rome was the center of their empire and ment a hell of alot to them. I'm quessing thats why.

Thread over.

I feel like after the three pages of replies, I need to stress this.

THREAD. OVER!

 

[Dags90]

But unless I'm mistaken the US hasn't historically suffered as poorly as europe when it comes to soccer (or other sports) brawls. During the 70's in Britain for example, there were places where you didn't go UNLESS you were a supporter of a specific city soccer team.

They aren't as common as in Europe, but we've had a few riots. I think that has a fair amount to do with distance though. Most U.S. cities are very far apart, and stadiums generally tend to be very slanted in terms of supporters, heavily waited towards the home team. There aren't mass riots because the numbers are so off.

 

[Disaster Button]

In a rather embarassing brain dumb the other day, I only just realised Romans were Italians thanks to Doctor Who.

 

[Jaranja]

Since the thread seems to have been answered, I would like to borrow it, if only for a bit.

What is your favorite ancient civilisation, and why?

Japan.

FUCKING SAMURAI!

 

[Simalacrum]

Ok, to be fair, the centre of the Empire was NOT Rome, it was the Emperor, and pretty much wherever he resided.

The reason they're called Romans, is because thats what the Roman Empire was called - I don't even know if the country itself was called Italy at the time

 

[Chris^^]

what have the romans ever done for us?

This made me lol. Python references are best when not expected.

i does what i can ^^

 

[CrikeyO]

Since the thread seems to have been answered, I would like to borrow it, if only for a bit.

What is your favorite ancient civilisation, and why?

Republic of Florence under the Medici family.

Patrons of some of the greatest art of all time and managed to hold a truce between squabbling Italian city states for years.

 

[Addendum_Forthcoming]

But unless I'm mistaken the US hasn't historically suffered as poorly as europe when it comes to soccer (or other sports) brawls. During the 70's in Britain for example, there were places where you didn't go UNLESS you were a supporter of a specific city soccer team.

They aren't as common as in Europe, but we've had a few riots. I think that has a fair amount to do with distance though. Most U.S. cities are very far apart, and stadiums generally tend to be very slanted in terms of supporters, heavily waited towards the home team. There aren't mass riots because the numbers are so off.

That's ... a really really good counterpoint. The distances between major cities (1 million+) in the US is pretty extreme (if my year 7 geography still serves me ... albeit that was about 15 years ago). So what you're saying is lets say you have a state football team like one from Seattle in Washington state, and a football team from Austin in the state of Texas ....

The distance is huge. Infeasible for even alot of avid Seattle fans to travel to Austin to watch a game.

Australia is in the same boat having major cities so isolated that the movement of fans due to intra-nation sporting events are fewer than in highly populated, high density nations like England.

Barring examination of the numbers of supporters that move between states I think you're onto something ^_^

 

[Giest4life]

The same reasons why the Prussians weren't called the Germans. The concept of the modern day nation is a fairly new concept, previously there were generally city-states that peddled their influence, or there were feudal lords (Baron, Earls, etc.) that would occasionally unite under a leader they called the King. Rome was the centerpiece of the "Roman" civilization, and it was the city everyone could unite for, and thus it was called the Roman empire.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

Ok, to be fair, the centre of the Empire was NOT Rome, it was the Emperor, and pretty much wherever he resided.

The reason they're called Romans, is because thats what the Roman Empire was called - I don't even know if the country itself was called Italy at the time

That wasn't the case until later, around the time of Diocletian and Constantine, until then everyone pretty much acknowledged that Rome, with the Senate, was the place where "The Empire" stemmed from.

Onto the other topic...

Favorite Ancient Civilization would be Warring States Era China, because it's just so damned interesting.

 

[wkrepelin]

Simple, the Roman Empire preceded the country of Italy.

 

[Giest4life]

Republic of Florence under the Medici family.

Patrons of some of the greatest art of all time and managed to hold a truce between squabbling Italian city states for years.

The art was hardly "great" for all time. Because art of every single age is the "greatest" art. It's redundant thought. So many people say that certain someone "forever changed history." No shit. Unless you are planning to invest in time-travel, I don't see how every single moment in history has "forever changed" history.

Also, the Medici's aren't the brains behind that pathetic thing you call "truce." Does Niccolo Machiavelli ring a bell?

 

[Doctor What]

1) Because they enjoyed, BIG AMERICAN TITTIES!

2) Because Italy, as it is NOW wasn't around yet. It was still a bunch of Greek-like city states, held together by a common capital. Romans WERE Italians, but, going back to the city-state thing, they just called themselves after their city.

3) They were more badass than Shaft, and you don't question them.

 

[SimuLord]

I dunno, I grew up in Boston and by that logic "Beat LA" and "Yankees Suck" chants sure sound like a proud continuation of that European tradition.

Well yeah, Europe has regained a little sanity in the last 20 years. As for American history (as far as I know, I haven't studied it prolifically) has had a history of insular and isolationist policy even between states and the Federal government.

But unless I'm mistaken the US hasn't historically suffered as poorly as europe when it comes to soccer (or other sports) brawls. During the 70's in Britain for example, there were places where you didn't go UNLESS you were a supporter of a specific city soccer team.

'Threat of harm' label didn't really cover the instances of mass beatings and extreme violence perpetrated by the 'fans' (complete dickheads by any long extension).

People took matters of city (and even intra-city matters such as Manchester City and Manchester United soccer brawls of the 70's) as matters of personal reference and pride beyond national concerns.

'Football Hooliganism' they term it now I believe (albeit I remember it being called 'roughs' and 'roughhousings' but I'm probably older than most people online) still causes loss of life and massive infrastructure damage through vandalism and property damage.

As well as I know (albeit with no prolonged studied of American or Canadian society) these are not as analogous in former Western colonies.

For example ... State of Origin rugby series in Australia is about NSW vs Queensland in Australia ... and the slander you hear (even by news reporters on tv) would make most people blush ... but after all is said and done 'blues' and "maroons' still can sit down and drink together (despite incessant name calling).

Which sounds tantemount to your 'Yankees suck'-'LA Rules' situation. Namecalling and nothing else. Not really comparable to Europe.

I dunno...sounds an awful lot like what'd happen if you wore a Yankees cap in Kenmore Square.

 

[Death_Korps_Kommissar]

All roads lead to Rome...
Or so they say.

 

[wkrepelin]

You see? This:

Simple, the Roman Empire preceded the country of Italy.

(What? This doesn't even explain anything or answer the OP in any way.)

Or this:

But seriously, because Italy wasn't around yet. It was still a bunch of Greek-like city states, and Rome was the capital of the empire.

Actually, the second sentence here isn't that bad, but stop saying "Italy wasn't around yet" for the love of God! Of course Italy was bloody around; the Romans called it Italy, there were Italians, Italy not being around has nothing to do with the question.

So where's your answer smart guy?

 

[Sethzard]

Rome was where the empire started, the whole area were small states, and originally it was the state of Rome.

 

[Maverick Siragusa]

what have the romans ever done for us?

pizza

super mario

and other great things

oh you... you missed the point of that
and that was the Italians and Japanese respectively anyway
silly sausage

where did they get the idea hmm....

thats right Mario and Luigi were based off of two roman legionaries who ate magic mushrooms and gained super powers.

and pizza is a old roman recipe that was hidden in a sacred temple until the chosen one a descendant of a true roman found it and made the food of desire.

i believe you just got told good sir