Not to mention, the Greeks weren’t know for being particularly egalitarian or peace-loving either. They were big on pretty and graceful things… to show off their tremendous slave wealth. I’d guess that the main reason we even talk about them, instead of any of the other ancient civilisations, is that the “gangster” Romans simped for them enough to preserve a decent amount of their literature into the middle ages, which then found it’s way to the present.
Also, Roman roads were frequently straight, but not always. This Beckmann guy seems to think they would just send them straight up over one of the snow-capped peaks of the alps. They would allow some really steep grades, sure, but not unlimited grade, either in intensity or cumulative extent.
Not to mention, the Greeks weren’t know for being particularly egalitarian or peace-loving either. They were big on pretty and graceful things… to show off their tremendous slave wealth. I’d guess that the main reason we even talk about them, instead of any of the other ancient civilisations, is that the “gangster” Romans simped for them enough to preserve a decent amount of their literature into the middle ages, which then found it’s way to the present.
Also, Roman roads were frequently straight, but not always. This Beckmann guy seems to think they would just send them straight up over one of the snow-capped peaks of the alps. They would allow some really steep grades, sure, but not unlimited grade, either in intensity or cumulative extent.