From NPR Morning Edition, November 22, 2006
NPR’s series examines our perceptions of history, novelist Robert Harris speaks with Steve Inskeep about how the history of Rome is reflected in our modern-day world. Harris sees parallels between the time of Rome’s transition from republican to imperial rule and the challenges the U.S. faces now.
Click ‘Listen‘ to hear the seven minute commentary.
Related: “How to Build a Universe That Doesn’t Fall Apart Two Days Later” an essay written in 1978 by Philip K. Dick in which he extrapolates how we may still be living in 50 AD.
“I must admit that the existence of Disneyland (which I know is real) proves that we are not living in Judaea in 50 AD. . . . Saint Paul would never go near Disneyland. Only children, tourists, and visiting Soviet high officials ever go to Disneyland. Saints do not.”
-Philip K. Dick
Animam Recro 
January 29, 2007 at 5:05 pm
There’s a lot of parallels being drawn between the U.S. and Rome today. But America is not an empire per se yet. Does this mean the U.S. is in the throes of the Republic like Rome was? I don’t know. I haven’t read enough this parallel to give a good opinion. It sounds quite interesting though and worth exploring.
October 12, 2007 at 3:42 am
Ancient Rome and the United States are similar. The ancient Romans were the only superpower of the world in their time, and today America is the preeminent world power. The ancient Romans also dominated commerce, as do we. The ancient Romans conquered in order to colonize.