The destructive nature of war is so obvious to us today, but was it obvious to the peoples of the ancient world? We certainly can't claim that we're smarter -- you don't often meet people like Aristotle, Plato and Socrates nowadays. Why is it that humanity has been perpetually locked in warfare for over 5,000 years since the dawn of civilization? Why perpetuate war?

DIFFERENT VALUES

NICOLAS POUSIN "The Rape of the Sabine Women" 1636-37

THE LAW OF THE JUNGLE

The law of interaction of nations was like that of animals in the jungle: The strong devour the weak. Nations acted in basically the same way. "If I am stronger, it is my natural right to conquer. Might makes Right."

PAX ROMANA

Photo National Geographic

The Romans did have a period of history called "Pax Romana" -- "Roman Peace," which lasted from about 80 BCE until 120 CE. The Roman Empire experienced 200 years of relative calm and stability. No small accomplishment! Yet, the Roman idea of peace was, "Let us conquer the world and subdue all threats to empire!" This is very different from our 20th-century conception of peace on a global scale. Many other countries in history have also looked at peace as the break taken between wars in order to re-arm.

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