Comparing Krishan Kumar's Greece And Rome In The British Empire

One author that touches on the relationship between Great Britain and these two empires is Krishan Kumar. Kumar’s Greece and Rome in the British Empire: Contrasting Role Models compares ways that the British Empire mirrors the models of Greece and Rome. Kumar argues that the Greek Empire model is described by its autonomous colonies, while the Roman Empire model is defined by its widespread dominion over colonies. Due to Britain's quick growth and immensity, it was originally compared to Rome; however, as Britain developed, it revealed elements of both models. Britain had a hands off approach approach to most of its colonies but in India, Britain maintained a strong control of its colony. Kumar points out that after the separation from the
Augustine is another author who touches on the empire of Rome, and provides a religious filter on the subject. St. Augustine began writing “City of God” after the sacking of Rome by the Visigoths in 410. “City of God” addresses God, martyrdom, and other Christian philosophies. He conceives the church as a “heavenly kingdom”, which would ultimately triumph over all “earthly empires.” St Augustine labels these earthly empires as self-indulgent and ruled by greed. He believes that all things that happen, good or bad, are based on God's willingness. He wrote it to defend against those who blamed Christianity for the fall of Rome, and to reassure his fellow Christians. The sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 left the Romans in a state of disturbance, and many Romans believed that the sacking of Rome occurred because the pagan Roman gods were angry with Romans for abandoning them in favor of Christianity. Augustine wrote the piece in response to the accusations against Christianity, and in order to console Christians. The City of God also addresses many Christian philosophies, such as martyrdom and God. Augustine argues that Rome is just empire, among all the rest, that have risen and fallen, and the Church should not be tied to the fate of the Roman Empire. Augustine later states that the character of a society is determined by the choices of the individuals who make it up. If the individuals choose self-love rather than love of God then the society is deemed an earthly city; if the individuals choose God rather than self, then one has the heavenly city. To Augustine, the Roman empire chose self-love, and is ruled by greed and