Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
The Last Of The Romans
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="AussieCollector, post: 4513143, member: 81093"]Thanks [USER=72790]@kevin McGonigal[/USER] - great write up.</p><p><br /></p><p>I do enjoy discussion around 'the last Romans' or 'the last Roman' as you put it.</p><p><br /></p><p>I take a slightly different view.</p><p><br /></p><p>The term Byzantine is a modern invention, because our western culture ignored the Eastern Roman Empire (or more accurately, the Eastern Roman Territories ruled by the Roman Emperor 'in the East') for centuries when teaching history and so forth. We had always been taught that the Roman Empire fell in 476. And even when presented with the history of the Eastern Roman Empire, it is often met with "Yea, but they weren't real Romans." It's almost like it's too late to change our thinking, despite evidence to the contrary.</p><p><br /></p><p>If you link the Roman Empire to the Latin language, your conclusion is solid, and as good as any.</p><p><br /></p><p>However, in my view, Rome was so much more than Latin.</p><p><br /></p><p>It was a set of laws. It was a set of values. It was the style of government, including the Senate. It was an identity. </p><p><br /></p><p>The Byzantines didn't call themselves Byzantines, they called themselves Romans. And let's not also forget that Roman culture was heavily influenced by Greek culture, with a long list of examples.</p><p><br /></p><p>So, from my perspective, the Roman Empire lasted until 1453, with the 'last Roman' being Constantine XI.</p><p><br /></p><p>There is even perhaps a case to be made that the last Roman was David Megas Komnenos of Trebizond, finally losing the last Roman territory in 1461.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="AussieCollector, post: 4513143, member: 81093"]Thanks [USER=72790]@kevin McGonigal[/USER] - great write up. I do enjoy discussion around 'the last Romans' or 'the last Roman' as you put it. I take a slightly different view. The term Byzantine is a modern invention, because our western culture ignored the Eastern Roman Empire (or more accurately, the Eastern Roman Territories ruled by the Roman Emperor 'in the East') for centuries when teaching history and so forth. We had always been taught that the Roman Empire fell in 476. And even when presented with the history of the Eastern Roman Empire, it is often met with "Yea, but they weren't real Romans." It's almost like it's too late to change our thinking, despite evidence to the contrary. If you link the Roman Empire to the Latin language, your conclusion is solid, and as good as any. However, in my view, Rome was so much more than Latin. It was a set of laws. It was a set of values. It was the style of government, including the Senate. It was an identity. The Byzantines didn't call themselves Byzantines, they called themselves Romans. And let's not also forget that Roman culture was heavily influenced by Greek culture, with a long list of examples. So, from my perspective, the Roman Empire lasted until 1453, with the 'last Roman' being Constantine XI. There is even perhaps a case to be made that the last Roman was David Megas Komnenos of Trebizond, finally losing the last Roman territory in 1461.[/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
The Last Of The Romans
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...