Analogy - Rome/Carthage = Russian/British empires?

[Knight-Dragon]

Seems to have a dearth of 'worthy' discussion threads here.

Recently I've come across this analogy (broadly) in a book. What do you think of it?

In very generic broad terms, do you think that the British and Russian empires seem to be similar to Carthage and Rome of ancient times respectively? In as the British empire was somewhat like Carthage, in that an empire was only acquired in the course of pursuing trade and thru seapower, while the Russian empire was more like Rome, in that they're more of an expansive and power-hungry land power?

Of course, conditions and circumstances are very different then and now. I'm speaking fr a broad point of view.

Comments?

 

[Constantine]

On the Surface yes I suppose. It is a very broad analogy.

Rome and Russia have some similarties, conceration at least early on the army. Same with GB and Carthage with their navy. Past not much else is similar.

 

[Xen]

there is a closer analogy with British analogous ot the Greeks, and the Romans with the United States

 

[CivCube]

Depends on what time period you're talking about. Shortly before WWI the roles were practically switched around.

 

[Knight-Dragon]

Originally posted by Xen
there is a closer analogy with British analogous ot the Greeks, and the Romans with the United States

The Greeks were never united, unlike the British who remained a single potent power. Their intra-national conflicts and competition had been described as their advantage, in that it led to innovation.

I've read that the Mayas were analogous as the Greeks of Mesoamerica though - with their conflicting city-states and great innovations.

 

[Xen]

yet the greeks were a colonial power who spread thier culture and technology allaround thier world by means of controlling the sea, and trade and traval upon it, the same as the british empire did- analogies between nation need not be exclusive to the exact political structure of those nation, but can also include the over all impact thoise nations/culture had upon their world

 

[Voynich]

Actually it seems that the Germans somewhat resembled the Greeks in that they had many feuding states and became militarily powerful and scientifically advanced. There are some other similarities as well.

 

[Revolutionary]

well another analgy based on conflict is Rome/Carthage would more = British/French in that Rome and Carthage were each others worst enemies similar to the way Britain and France were during most of there history

 

[LouLong]

It is an old-fashioned analogy IMHO.

Two main limits :
1/ as opposed to Russia, Rome had access to warm waters and its territory was actually surrounded by waters (it is a peninsula, right ), usable waters I mean.
2/ they used their navy during the Punic wars and quite a few of their victories were actually naval ones, especially during the first Punic wars (something Russia could never do facing the Brtitish), and in the later wars the Roman dominated the seas. For instance, Hannibal had to cross Spain, Southern Gaul and the Alps to arrive in Italy because he could not control the seas while Romans landed troops directly in Carthage's main territory from Sicilia.

 

[allhailIndia]

I think it is difficult to make an analogy like Rome v.Carthage in the modern times because this rivalry had everything to do with the control of the Mediterranean, and how it played a role in ultimately deciding the fate of Carthage. Also, purely trade built empires with mercenaries for defence is not possible, plus you will have to bring the growth of ideologies like nationalism and socialism/communism.

I think if you want to make analogies, it has to be within a particular time period.