Who wants to know about ancient Greece or Rome?

[cambraceres]

Phillip absolutely would have led his army into persia. Alexander's great big break, was that his father and Parmenion had built and indestructible martial force. Remember, Phillip's name was King Phillip the Conqueror, even though his son went vast distances farther, Phillip still deserved his name.

Cambraceres

[cambraceres]

If the Roman empire never fell, we probably would not be more advanced then we are now. The Romans faded for a reason, and we are so far ahead of our immediate predecessors, it seems almost silly to question under what consitions we could be a more advanced society.

And about Cannae vs. Metaurus. The reason I believe Metaurus to be the more important conflict is because of what was in the balance. It metaurus was lost, Rome would be attacked by two armies, from two directions under like control, the size of this army would have exceeded what came into play at Cannae, or Trebia, Or Lake Trasimene. When Hannibal shattered 45,000 Roman troops at Cannae, he was then in a position where he was victorious, but impotemt. He could not do anything effectively following Cannae. If Metaurus had been lost, then Rome itself could have been at serious risk. And not just in just a superficial way like with the occupation of Alaric.

Cambraceres

[cambraceres]

He did not end all his speeches with that quote, but late in his career it became a signature. His name was Marcus Cato. The quote translated means Carthage must be destroyed.
Carthage at the time was Rome's main enemy.

Cambraceres