"Tacitus explains the policy of his father-in-law, Agricola, in bringing the comforts of Roman civilization to the barbarous British:

'His object was to accustom them to a life of peace and quiet by the provision of amenities. He therefore gave official assistance to the building of temples, public squares and good houses. He educated the sons of the chiefs in the liberal arts, and expressed a preference for British ability as compared to the trained skills of the Gauls. The result was that instead of loathing the Latin language they became eager to speak it effectively. In the same way, our national dress came into favour and the toga was everywhere to be seen. And so the population was gradually led into the demoralizing temptation of arcades, baths and sumptuous banquets. The unsuspecting Britons spoke of such novelties as 'civilization', when in fact they were only a feature of their enslavement.'

Tacitus Agricola chapter 21, translated by H. Mattingly, Penguin 1948, 1973

Read more: http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/Plai...z24AX3OtQb

I've only read the Histories but I enjoyed it.  He seems to have had a rather sharp tongue...or at least a sharp pen

the histories eh...I should check it out...anyone know a good authority on the history of the Romans (pre-greco-roman times, before it started taking over the world)?

I'm reading up on the history of the world all the way from the big bang lol

I'm reading up on the history of the world all the way from the big bang lol

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082517/  

Ah, but the Romans couldn't "civilize" the Scots!  (Did I mention that I'm of Scottish descent, Wallace and McKinnon clans?) They had to build Hadrian's Wall to keep them  out.  
Alison

It's astounding how many parellels there are between the bread and circuses of the past and the distractions of today.

My western civilization and U.S. History since 1885 professor?

I think you should have a good look into the Etruscan history. After all, the seven kings of Rome were Etruscans, as far as I understood it. So they were at least contemporaries.

In what context do you see this history repeating itself?

@Genesis: If I knew your professer then I would ask him/her LOL

@Shnoing: Thanks, I'll read up on it.

@142857: Well, because the British (generations later) essentially did the same thing to other native societies: brought that idea that British = civilized, and then went about conquering other nations and imposing their culture upon them...brought British clothes, buildings, English language, religion, and used their inherited cultural superiority to stomp out foreign/indigenous resistance and ideas.

He has knowledge on Greco-Roman history..... of course theres a criminal record.... yet lets just ignore that.