dont agree, the west will long exist ansd continue to lead the world in terms of the best example of how a society should organise and operate

i will give reasons in upcoming opinion piece, should it be published on OLO

mhaze,
As I said, I was wrong. Probably due to misunderstanding something I saw on TV, I thought the Danevirke was originally a Roman frontier. But it wasn't - the Romans traded with the Danes by sea, but had no land border.

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Bazz,
> The Arab slavers captured approximately one million Europeans
Wasn't that all after the fall of Rome?

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individual,
I lack the telepathic ability to tell what young people are thinking just by looking outside my home during the week.
'Tis a pity you haven't realised that so do you!

oops sorry Aidan. Missed your earlier post.

Actually that makes me feel better. I've studied extensively on the Roman northern borders and was a little concerned I'd missed something as vital as a wall fortification.

Yes Rome built fortification all around the empire where they thought it appropriate and efficacious. Given that they were surrounded by vast numbers of people who were technologically and materially poorer than themselves, they were constantly assailed by one or other border tribe. From Brennus in the early 4th century BC through to Attlia 8 centuries later, Rome was constantly fending off invaders.

They tried many methods, one of which was walled fortifications. In the end, nothing will stop a determined invader from crossing the border. The only hope is to severely maul them in battle so as to discourage invasion. Even things like the genocide visited on the Dacians was only partially successful.

Western Rome fell when their military and technological advantages disappeared.

"...the west will long exist ansd continue to lead the world in terms of the best example of how a society should organise and operate
Posted by Chris Lewis, Friday, 21 February 2020 10:25:43 AM"

Rome and the other extinct civilisations would have thought the same thing.

Democracy for Sale:

I think it should be government sanctioned, for a citizen to sell their vote to the highest bidder.
This is standard procedure in PNG as one of many examples.

This move would allow political corruption to be benificial all the way from the top to the bottom.

I'd put a value of say $2.500 on my federal vote. $2.000 for State and say $1.500 for local elections.

Currently I tear my voting slips up at the polling station.

This move would be a great advance to me personally, allowing me to stimulate the economy, and improve the quality of say, a holiday away from the stress of retirement.

Dan