this post was submitted on 18 Oct 2024
75 points (98.7% liked)

A Comm for Historymemes

1423 readers
1025 users here now

A place to share history memes!

Rules:

  1. No sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, assorted bigotry, etc.

  2. No fascism, atrocity denial, etc.

  3. Tag NSFW pics as NSFW.

  4. Follow all Lemmy.world rules.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 
top 5 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Explanation: During the Second Punic War, the Carthaginian general Hannibal quite soundly defeated several Roman armies that were sent after him in Italy. In fact, so many Romans died that it's estimated that 20% of Rome's military-age males were killed by Hannibal. For reference, WW1 had about 15% killed before the will to fight collapsed and the war ended.

And yet, Rome kept coming back, with more and more and more men. They banned mourning. They taxed all luxuries. They called up all the young men they could regardless of social class. They armed slaves in exchange for their freedom. Whatever it took. And because of that determination, Rome eventually, resoundingly won the war, despite losing entire armies to Hannibal's forces.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I don't know if "determination" is necessarily the right word there. Might I suggest something closer to "rage and terrror induced frantic stupidity"?

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 month ago

"Cultural-level mental disorder" and "Stubbornness verging on total constitutional incapability of changing course" also work

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

Numbers can drown the stars.

Just ask the Tyranid.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Another, there is.