An article by Terry Jones (of Python fame) suggests that the Celts have unfairly been seen as barbarians when in fact they were a fairly advanced people. The examples he gives have to do with roadbuilding and toolmaking. The Roman advantage, he suggests, was almost solely having to do with a professional army. The article is interesting and includes stuff I'd never heard about.
But...the article misses a pretty big point. Well, it mentions it but goes past it quickly. Written records. They're the foundation of civilization. They allow ideas (and laws) to be transmitted near and far. They create a sense of permanence that allows for (or at least encourages) longer range planning. It's no fault of the Celts that the Romans had them beat there. These things happen.
And a superior army is important too. We've become so used to thinking of civilization as 'peace, love and understanding' that we forget the need for rough ready men willing to put their butts on the line and kill the enemy before they are killed. And they need to be able to do that outfighting. Hence a superior army.
I don't want to suggest that this is the only (or even most) important quality for a civilizaton to have. We can recognize the beauty and art of less prominent peoples. And there is certainly an inherent dignity in all groups. But it's important to remember the less pretty bits too. A civilization that forgets the need to be ugly is in danger waters.
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