> I think the romans did. they finally lost the fight and state, but it
> lasted for quite a long time, didn't it? and survived a whole bunch of
> crooks.
The Romans had more than one phase of government. Firstly, the
Roman Republic, secondly the Roman Empire, then the split Roman
Empire, and eventually just Byzantium. These forms of government
were quite different, as were the extant cultures. In each case, though,
quality of life was purchased for the Romans by ruthless subjugation
and enslavement of the majority of the known world's population.
Probably not a good system to try and emulate, what with all these
damned liberals around whining about human rights and such ;-)
-- Adam
