Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Trajan in London

Commander K. with Trajan, Londinium
Emperor Trajan 53 AD - 117AD

The American Conservative tour of London continues with a visit to a statue of the Roman Emperor Trajan near the Tower Hill tube stop.  His reign (98 AD to 117 AD) marked the greatest extent of the Roman Empire.  Gibbon considered him to be one of the five "good emperors" of Rome.

The Roman historian Vegetius wrote, "Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum"--"If you want peace prepare for war."*

Commander Kelly says, "Explore the Roman roots of Britain in London today!"



* After the tragedy at Sandy Hook this could be updated to "If you want safe schools, prepare to defend them against attack."  There are so many things which could be done to make schools safer that have nothing to do with gun control -- creating choke points, picture ID for parents, metal detectors, panic buttons to first responders for administration, taking lunatics off the streets and, of course, security guards.

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