From the earliest Roman Empire, a small town began to fight against foreign countries, and finally developed into a super empire that spanned Europe, Asia and Africa and had a far-reaching impact on later generations. So how did Rome develop into such a powerful empire? Here we should start with the Roman spirit in the Battle of Gaul written by Caesar.
Machiavelli said: "All countries, new or old, are mainly based on good laws and good armies."
So, what are the laws and armies that support Rome? It is the Roman legal consciousness of pursuing harmony and the martial spirit of being proud of the descendants of the God of War.
These can be found in the Gaul War.
The Battle of Gaul written by Caesar mainly describes the physical geography, customs and habits of Gaul and the process of his fighting in Gaul. In essence, it describes the process of military conquest of Gaul, defeat of all brave tribes collectively called Gauls, and establishment of provincial rule. At the same time, it is also a process for Caesar to build an army loyal to himself, win reputation and accumulate wealth. At that time, the Roman Civil Assembly was bloated and inefficient, the Senate was monopolized by the giants and nobles who had been in power for generations, and the strengthening of the state machine was imminent. The times were calling for the emergence of great men. Caesar is a "model of Roman pragmatism".
The Battle of Gaul was written by Caesar during his campaign with Dong, which played an important role in political propaganda. However, its language is approachable, elegant and powerful, informative and simple, and it has high historical value.
Law: human nature is higher than rank
In the account of the battle with Alibaba Ovidus, Caesar mentioned the cruel rule of Alibaba Ovidus. Ali Ovidus is rude, willful and cruel, and takes the children of the most noble nobles as hostages. These hostages have done something without his consent, and they will be punished in all kinds of tragic ways. When describing the rebellion in Gaul, Caesar also described the severe punishment imposed by Vichin and Rix: people who committed serious crimes were burned at the stake and tortured. If they committed minor crimes, he would cut off their ears or gouge out their eyes and send them home.
For the Romans influenced by Greek philosophy, these practices were evil and ignorant, and these punishments were in sharp contrast with the Roman legal rules. There is such an idea in the Hellenistic theory: "Human beings are unified, and the king, as a Savaur and benefactor, should care for and serve the interests of his subjects, so that all ethnic groups can live and work in peace and contentment under such a * * *". Roman law followed the Stoicism principle and took human nature rather than social class as the legislative basis.
As early as 450 BC, under the pressure of civil struggle, there was the first written code in Roman history-the twelve bronze tables method. Although the content of this code is mainly to protect the rights and interests of nobles, it is written according to the requirements of civilians, which makes judicial trial, sentencing and conviction bound by provisions and limits the abuse of power by nobles because of monopoly of justice and misinterpretation of laws. The ancient Romans carved it on twelve copper coins, which reflected the spirit of the ancient Romans to abide by the law. However, the resistance and struggle of civilians did not end until the Hortensia Act in 287 BC stipulated that the civilian assembly had the highest legislative power, which abolished all the unequal status of civilians in law and realized legal equality among citizens.
Since the 2nd century BC, a number of outstanding local judges and secular jurists have appeared in Rome. The development of the combination of judge's notice and legal interpretation has become a legal supplement to legislation different from specific bills and has legal effect. It can be seen that the notice of the magistrate announcing the judicial policy and the principle of handling cases and the jurist's interpretation of the law when answering people's legal questions are conducive to the construction and development of Roman law. As Zhu Longhua said: "Judges' notices and legal interpretations have the characteristics of seeking truth from facts, which can make up for the defects and deficiencies of laws and regulations from reality, thus making the development of Roman law flexible, effective, rich and practical, and gradually surpassing other ancient nationalities. "
Caesar's conquest of Gaul was in the period of the emergence of Roman jurists and the formation of new laws, and Gaul even allowed the leaders to impose severe punishment. Before Caesar conquered Gaul, Rome did not exclude Gauls from legal protection. Roman judges made judgments in various places according to Roman law, and some of their leaders were allowed to enter the Senate. Legally speaking, barbarism was completely conquered by civilization.
Wu Shang: tenacious but not underestimating the enemy.
First of all, Roman soldiers knew the value of perseverance and seeking truth. In the battle with Bill and others, the Roman army built a long foundation with a height of 12 feet and a weekly height of10.5 million feet, and then began to tirelessly build wooden towers. At first, Bill and others talked about "Why did you build such a heavy instrument all the way?" ? Especially a short and poor person like you, what kind of hands and feet and energy do you need to move such a heavy wooden tower to the city? "
However, the capable Romans soon moved the wooden tower to the wall of Bill and others. Bill and others panicked, thinking that Rome had the help of gods, and hurriedly surrendered. When conquering Britain, Roman ships could not adapt to the local waves and currents and loaded enough trench. Caesar told the soldiers to build more ships.
When Caesar returned from Italy, he found that the sergeants were full of energy. Although all kinds of materials are extremely scarce, they have worked tirelessly to build about 600 ships and 28 warships. It laid the foundation for the second conquest of Britain. Roman sergeants also built bridges on the Rhine River twice very quickly, which ensured Caesar's smooth and dignified arrival on the other side, deterred the enemy and won the peace and friendship of many tribes.
The Romans never despised Gauls in battle, and Caesar often described them as "brave". However, Gauls can't know themselves and themselves in the battle. Ali Ovidus rarely responded to Caesar's suggestions and demands, even refused blindly, just boasting of his bravery. He said proudly, "if they are willing to try again, he is also ready to make another decisive battle;" If they want peace, they are supposed to pay tribute. Aren't they willing to hand it in today?
For him, the friendship of the Roman people should be a decoration, a guarantee, not an obstacle. He first sought friendship according to this idea. "But Caesar still said modestly and without losing his dignity," neither he nor the Gaul people have the heart to abandon their sincere friends, nor does he admit that Alibaba Ovidus has more rights to occupy Gaul than the Romans. "The Sardinians and Villarreals even looked down on the small strength and unfavorable terrain of the Roman legion and rushed to attack. The end result is like a moth to a fire. The arrogant Gaul was defeated again and again by the indomitable and realistic Romans.
Secondly, the Romans had courage and dedication. When Rome conquered Gaul, it first dealt with several people in Ervi, who claimed to be braver than anyone else. When Caesar decided to solve the food problem and went straight to Bibrak, he was strongly attacked by several people in Ervi. Caesar ordered all the horses to be driven away, burned his bridges and launched a life-and-death struggle with the enemy. The Romans threw light spears at the Erwinians and bravely drew their swords to kill them. A few days later, thanks to the courage of the Roman army and their own supplies, the Ervi finally surrendered.
Once, the Roman army attacked violently, the Germans advanced rapidly, and the two sides fought fiercely. The Romans were not afraid to lose their light spears in times of crisis, and those who took them fought with swords. Not to be outdone, the Germans formed a phalanx to resist, and Roman soldiers jumped into the phalanx and assassinated the enemy from top to bottom. There is no doubt that it is the spirit of perseverance and courage when both sides are evenly matched.
No one is a ever-victorious general, and no army can always have a domineering and invincible murderous look. However, the Romans had a firm and open spirit. Before Caesar put forward a bold plan to confront the Germans, the barracks were filled with fear and sadness. Some people refused to admit their timidity and worried about the supply of rations on the pretext. So Caesar called a meeting. He scolded the centurion first, and then made a comprehensive analysis of the situation. Throughout this speech, it is precisely the soldiers who are required to carry forward the firm spirit of the Roman nation.
Caesar's speech was impassioned and clear-headed. The soldiers may have forgotten the "self-confidence", "self-esteem" and "sense of responsibility" mentioned in it ... but they will certainly remember that "Caesar loves this army the most and trusts this legion the most because they are brave". This courage is enough to make every Roman proud, and this courage should be remembered by everyone. In the battle with Bill and others, Caesar called on the soldiers to remember their original bravery and finally saved the day.
The key point is that the ancient Romans realized that "the country is the cause of the people" and they had the nature of patriotism and dedication. The Roman army was at a loss by the Germanic raid. At that time, the wounded and sick Bubulius Secxus Ba Gule, who had not eaten for five days, grabbed the weapon from the nearest person and stood up and died, bearing the brunt. With his encouragement, the centurions stopped the enemy attack together. Around Georgia, the enemy relied on the terrain and the number of people, and the Romans relied on courage.
Marcus Petronius, a centurion, stepped forward when he was in a desperate situation, and said righteously, "Since I can't go out with you, I will come to save you people who have been driven into a desperate situation because of your enthusiasm for glory. You will try to save yourself at the first opportunity! " So, he rushed into the enemy, killed two enemies, forced the enemy to retreat a distance from the city gate, and sent his men out of the city to take the opportunity to return to the legion. It is his spirit of sacrifice and dedication that makes all his subordinates get out of danger smoothly.
As the leader who conquered Gaul, Caesar was also patient, realistic and brave. In many wars, he can clearly analyze the situation, make bold battle plans, and even show weakness to the enemy to paralyze him, thus winning. In many crises, he was fearless in face of danger and made a speech to inspire the army. He often goes to the front line. In order to boost morale, he risks being recognized and assassinated by the enemy and boldly wears his bright and dazzling shirt.
Caesar pursued victory and glory tirelessly. Of course, the desire for achievement may lead to evil, but eliminating this desire and stagnation will lead to a greater evil-annihilation of Excellence. The Romans firmly believed that they were descendants of Mars and Sylvia, and naturally they would not abandon this martial spirit of pursuing Excellence.
Rome's Way of Governing the Country: Spiritual Infiltration
Rome's legal spirit and martial spirit have a wide, far-reaching and lasting influence on later generations. Roman civilization and spirit conquered other kingdoms and nations rather than other nations. "Once the memory of the Roman Empire disappears due to the power and persistence of its rule, the Romans will become solid occupiers in these areas", Machiavelli's words strongly illustrate the significance of cultural erosion and spiritual infiltration. Spiritual civilization is enough to make one nation lose its nature and let another nation dominate the world.
With the expansion of Rome and the prosperity and development of slavery economy, Roman law has also established a relatively complete system in civil law, commercial law and private law, which is difficult for other ancient nationalities to reach. Although the Roman Empire died later, the concept and spirit of democracy and law survived. A large number of concepts, rules and precise, strict and concise wording of Roman law were later accepted by many European capitalist countries, and the principles followed in property, inheritance and contract continued to be adopted.
During the Renaissance, Locke regarded the principle of separation of powers and checks and balances as the premise and foundation of implementing the rule of law. The most important content of Montesquieu's theory of rule of law is the theory of separation of powers, which advocates the supremacy of law and the judgment of law; Rousseau emphasized the theory of social contract and believed that everyone was equal before the law. Voltaire attached importance to human rights and values. Their theory of rule of law has never been divorced from the rule of law in ancient Rome. After Europe broke through medieval theology, with the development and expansion of capitalism, the scope of Roman law also expanded, covering Asia, Africa and Latin America, which were once colonies of France, Germany, Spain and Portugal, thus forming a "civil law system". Even countries that constitute the "Anglo-American legal system" are deeply influenced by Roman law.
The martial national spirit promoted the whole Roman society to form a more sense of identity and a closer whole. The same moral orientation and values enhanced the national cohesion of Rome. "When the Romans saw the trouble in the primary election, they immediately remedied it, and never let it develop in order to avoid the war, because they knew that they should not escape the war, and delaying one day was only beneficial to others", thus enabling the Romans to realize their dreams and move from one victory to another. They strive to become independent and free people, masters of the city-state and Italy, and masters of the Mediterranean world.
Imagine how magnificent China would be if Zheng He's voyage to the Western Seas was not only to publicize national prestige and pay tribute to all directions, but to conquer the four barbarians pragmatically like ancient Rome. There is no need to have Roman martial arts. If everyone in modern times could be "mighty and unyielding", China would not be carved up and slaughtered like a fish on a knife; If we are tough enough to tear up the Aihui Treaty signed by local officials but not recognized by * * * and recover the land occupied by Russia in Northeast China, there will be an excellent harbor in Northeast China and the economy will develop better.
The great event of the country lies in respecting peace and honor. Rites and soldiers, legal system and army are two swords. ...