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Ancient and modern

What the Roman general Vegetius could teach Obama about Syria

7 September 2013

9:00 AM

7 September 2013

9:00 AM

So the USA must launch its onslaught against Syria without the Brits. Well, if Obama will make public announcements of what he is going to do, more fool him. The Roman military tactician Vegetius (c. AD 400) would be shaking his head in despair.

Vegetius was writing after Rome had suffered a devastating defeat against the Goths at Adrianople (AD 378), a foretaste of things to come in the western empire.

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