What does the ordinary New Zealand citizen of today owe to Rome?

I wrote this a wee while ago, just found it today... its not often that I am still pleased with my work this long after its composition :) so here tis...

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At first glance, New Zealand society today seems pretty far removed from ancient Rome; a small island nation, only recently colonized, heavily based on agriculture and with a mis-matched collection of religions, values and cultures we seem to have little in common with the vast Roman Empire of the first centaury AD. But when one looks closer, one can see that several foundational philosophies of the Roman Empire are widely accepted today, by the general populous as well as by those in power.

Firstly there is the assumption that political power is a good thing. And more importantly that those in power have the right to make laws as they deem necessary – no limits. The Roman senate declared that Emperor Vespian “shall have the right… to do whatever he deems to serve the interest of the state.” Under the persona of democracy we can see this same view of the government being played out in the New Zealand parliament. That there is no higher law other than that which the enlightened power holders have written; that they have the right to do whatever they deem to serve the interests of the country – no exceptions. This view resulted in things such as government implemented trade restrictions, inflation, price controls, and welfare programs, - all of which are also in place in New Zealand today; further evidence of the common ideology. We owe Rome much for passing this idea on to us, for without it our noble parliamentarians would most likely be done out of their jobs.

Not only is Rome responsible for giving our sagacious government free reign to exercise it’s wisdom, but it is also to be thanked for the large amount of free entertainment and government handouts we receive as New Zealand citizens. Our rugby games, television, radio, art galleries, along with student allowances, family assistance, and unemployment benefit, are all provided for us by our benevolent beehive dwellers. With all these great services and many more to numerous to mention, we are well compensated for any loss of power or freedom that those above us deem to be in the interests of our country. While we take many of these services for granted, it is well to remember that before men such as Augustus Caesar started providing people with requirements such as food, water, entertainment and hospital systems, they were forced to provide all these things for themselves. Freedom to do as one pleases does little good when one’s life is consumed with providing basic necessities such as these.

The stability and unity of the Roman Empire were two of its most admirable features. These were achieved by encouraging a common culture and language. Conquered people were allowed to retain their own religion, but only if they also worshiped the emperor and the goddess Roma. Urban dwelling was promoted and people were encouraged to dutifully honor their responsibility to family, state and the gods. It is heartening to see these same ideals that made Rome great being advocated in our society as well. Whilst freedom of religion is fostered in New Zealand it is made clear to all that ‘fundamentalism’ and ‘extremism’ are definitely not cool! Nobody really minds if you believe something funny, after all, all religions are basically the same anyway, but you must not believe it too strongly or it may cause you to disobey the highest law of all, that which our politicians have written. Contribution to society and the community are of utmost importance, and by closing country schools and increasing petrol taxes, we are encouraged to live in the city, where we can all keep an eye on each other better and make New Zealand a safer place to live.

Rome has given us a lot to be grateful for.

Epic Musings

"Being inexorably drawn towards my doom." I mouthed the words, weighing their effect against my turmoil of emotion. They had a dramatic ring to them, but did they describe me? Almost.... The feeling of being drawn somehow was definitely there, being drawn, mile after mile, minute after minute, nearer and nearer to something that my entire being wanted to run from.

This must be how one would feel riding into battle I thought. Rohanic parallels flowed fast from my excitable imagination as epic scenes of armored riders charged across the road in front of me. Their doom ahead, and yet riding steadfastly on. Why? Then I realized. It was not their doom they were riding towards, it was a battle. A battle where they would be weighed and found wanting, or emerge victorious; a battle that they would win or loose; that would show them to be either a man, or dead.

I realized that my fear was not of the thing itself at all, it was of being not enough, not clever enough, not fast enough, not man enough, and losing. for a despairing moment the actualization of my fear struck me. Putting it into words had given it new potency. but I realized again, that I must defeat that too, for the only way to not fail, was to face my fear of failure, and fight this battle anyway. My friends could cheer for my all they liked but this was something I must do alone. Me against it. My courage rose as I accelerated, this time of my own choosing.

Half an hour later, when the time was come, I could almost hear the epic music as I strode resolutely through those doors, into my maths exam.