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World History in a Nutshell

"Okay," began Daniel, standing at the front of the class. "Today, we're going to be looking at the Romans. Or rather, we're going to be discussing them.

There's a handout on your desks.

We're going to be considering a remark made by Napoleon. He said that, "the story of Rome is the story of the world." What do you think he meant by this? How is it that the "western world grew up in Rome's shadow?"

After this discussion was over, he waved at the computers.

"Today's game is Death in Rome. Have fun!"

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"Politics," Cameron replied. "Rome is an example of an empire that grew, conquered and fell apart. I can imagine that Napoleon could relate to how Rome grew from a monarchy, to a republic and finally turned into an empire. He saw for himself how that exact evolution happened in France. I guess he was expecting other countries to follow the example or something."

"Well, not being as aware of the Egyptian dynasties, or the Chinese, it would make sense to him that all empires eventually fall," Evie pointed out. "Whereas they endured in very different forms far longer than Rome did. But Rome's influence extended farther in Europe than Egypt's did, and while China's extended just as far, it wasn't a model that Napoleon would have identified with, being a revolutionary and conqueror himself."

"Didn't the whole of Europe get fascinated by Egypte at that point, though?" Cameron asked. "But yeah, he probably thought he was the Caesar of his age or something."

Evie nodded enthusastically at Cameron. "Yes! There were all sorts of Egyptian influences that were the rage for a while after Napoleon conquered it. Although what his soldiers did some of the antiquities was appalling. But yes, Caesar was looked on as role model and not a tyrant, so I suppose it makes sense that Napoleon would try to associate himself, and his regime, with Rome." She cocked her head, and said, "The Romans *did* accomplish so much, too. Roads, laws, aqueducts... builders as well as conquerors."

Cameron grinned, slightly amused at her enthusiasm. "Napoleon accomplished a lot too."

"Well. I suppose." Evie crossed her arms. "I'm British, you can't expect me to approve of the man who kept trying to conquer England. And caused a great deal of trouble in Ireland and Spain. Dreadful suffering for his dreams of glory, really."

"Yeah, but what monarch during that period didn't make people suffer?" Cameron asked. "Don't forget that the reason England hated him so much had more to do with the threat of a country being led by someone who wasn't royalty than anything else."

"Perhaps the politicians felt that way, but I assure you, the average Englishman was more concerned about the blockades Napoleon kept imposing on trade, and the navies he sent out to England," Evie said tartly. "Tell me one thing-- aside from opening Egypt to the world-- which he accomplished that wasn't about conquest."

"Law. His code. He turned the freedoms from the French Revolution into law and I believe his civil law is still used today," Cameron replied. "Plus, he finally showed that you had to trust on people's ability and not their family name."

"Drat." Evie looked rueful. "Right. Although I'd say English law is better, that is a valid point. And I rather think he wasn't the first to prove the ability matters more, but... yes." She looked disgruntled. "Accurate."

"I wouldn't put one law over the other, just that he did more than send people into the snow to fight the Russians," Cameron assured her. "But I think we're discussing the wrong time period here."

"Oh, we did rather get on a tangent, didn't we?" Evie blushed pink. "Of course. Rome. Which... gave Europe a common language. For a beginning."

Cameron smiled. "And left a bit of an impression on everything that came behind."

Evie blushed even more, nodding, trying to think of something else and not fidget. "Laws, like you mentioned for Napoleon. And art." She frowned. "I don't know if the same can be said for music, though."

"I honestly have no clue about roman music," he confessed, trying not to look amused by the blushing. "I know they had roads?"

"'All roads lead to Rome.' Or lead out of it. Mostly so they could again, go conquering at first. But for trade later." Evie's voice is still clear, but she's staring at her desktop. "Since they did do a good job of feeding their Empire for some time."

"You know a lot about history," Cameron remarked.

Evie gulped. "Yes. Well. My parents are archaeologists. And I'm going to be one. I should know this." She smiled a little at him, hands laced together to keep her from flailing.

Cameron smiled back, trying to look reassuring as he seemed to have made her nervous. "That's cool. It's good to know what you want."

Evie beamed at him, shyness forgotten. "Yes, it is, isn't it?" She hugged herself a little. "And it will be much easier to get experience and learn at this school than at my last. Are you at all interested in history?"

"I like it," he nodded. "But more as an interest than actually a career goal."

"We're starting an archaeology club, for fun. You're more than welcome to stop by." Evie looked abashed. "Although possibly it's more work than someone who isn't an archaeologist or anthropologist would find interesting."

"I'll keep it in mind," Cameron said. "I haven't decided what I'm going to sign up for."

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World History in a Nutshell

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