I noticed something the other day. So many of the great empires of our time have been built on the edges of the civilized world.
Alexandrian Empire- The Macedonians were on the edges of Greek civilization, well to the north of the civilized areas.
Roman Empire- What else was in Europe, anyway? Nothing really, just Celtic and Germanic tribes.
Arab Empire- They came out of the desert. 'Nuff said.
Mongol Empire- The steppes. 'Nuff said.
Portugese & Spanish Empires- waaaay out on the edge of the civilized world (india, china), so far out that they decided to go around the twenty gazillion middlemen in between them and the cores of civilization
British Empire- pretty much a backwater during the 16th century, but by the 18th, was the most powerful nation.
Russian Empire- again, on the edge of civilization, goes on to be the largest nation yet (besides the mongols).
United States- a nation settled only for a century or two, surrounded by trees and savages, goes on to be the most powerful force the world has seen.
Does this sound valid to you guys? Any idea why this happens? Any idea where it could happen again?
Alexandrian Empire- The Macedonians were on the edges of Greek civilization, well to the north of the civilized areas.
Roman Empire- What else was in Europe, anyway? Nothing really, just Celtic and Germanic tribes.
Arab Empire- They came out of the desert. 'Nuff said.
Mongol Empire- The steppes. 'Nuff said.
Portugese & Spanish Empires- waaaay out on the edge of the civilized world (india, china), so far out that they decided to go around the twenty gazillion middlemen in between them and the cores of civilization
British Empire- pretty much a backwater during the 16th century, but by the 18th, was the most powerful nation.
Russian Empire- again, on the edge of civilization, goes on to be the largest nation yet (besides the mongols).
United States- a nation settled only for a century or two, surrounded by trees and savages, goes on to be the most powerful force the world has seen.
Does this sound valid to you guys? Any idea why this happens? Any idea where it could happen again?