[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I enjoy reading and studying ancient Greek and Roman History. The more that I learn about the Greeks and Romans, the more I understand how much our culture inherited from them. True, Christianity came from the Hebrews, but Christianity grew and was nurtured by the Greco-Roman culture. Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and Christianity became the official religion of the Empire creating Christendom.

The foundation of our culture, its legal, social, religious, philosophical, lingual and cultural nature is based on the Greco-Roman.

The Greek and Roman legal system provided that a man was innocent until proven guilty. Jury trial with legal counsel were the standard. The law was considered important, even during the Empire and some nasty Emperors.

Socrates preferred death to escape from his sentence, because it would not be honorable to disrespect the rule of law. The Greek and Roman culture found that individuals were important. This was strengthened by Christianity.

The strength of the Hellenic and Roman states were based on the rule of law and a strong military culture. This military culture called for military service by its citizens (in Roman Empire, new citizens were created by joining the Legions, eventually in the late Empire, the military was not connected to the Roman citizenry, since most of the military were not originally Roman). The military culture focused on its soldiers working as members of a well oiled machine. Routinely, Greeks and Romans defeated forces when vastly outnumbered based on their well trained and unified legions.

Our military culture comes from the strong British military culture that is exemplified by similar principles. Good training, initial initiative but operating as a well oiled unit. Also, it expects to win, not surrender like some in this world.

[longtermmemmory]

One interesting fact pointed out in a recent History Chanel special on Athens. The ancients had a "draft system" of political service.

Since it was a direct democracy of the property owners, everyone was expected to serve at some time in their life.

Perhaps the Representative form of democracy should adopt a similar draft system. The volunteer politicians certainly could be improved upon.