roman occupation?

Question

why can't the uk claim reparations from modern day italy for hundreds of years of occupation of their legions?.

Answer 1

All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?

Answer 2

Because Rome was reputedly invited by Boudicca to assist her to quell trouble between certain British tribes. Just as the US claims to be restoring order and a 'proper' government in Iraq, so the Romans would have claimed that they were bringing their laws and methods of government to Britain.

I think that, on the whole, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, since Roman Law became the basis of most of European law (also inspiring the American Constitution, of course.)

The second objection is that present day Italy was also unified under the Romans, who were originally only one of many small tribes in that peninsula, so the state of Italy today is really as much and no more Roman than modern Britain.

Answer 3

Why not go further.

We claim against the Norse, French and Romans. They claim against the Gauls, the Greeks and the Huns. They claim against the Assyrrians, the Egyptians and the Mongols. They turn to the birthplace of mankind - Africa, and sue Zimbabwe!

How does that sound, Mr Mugabe?

Answer 4

It would be slightly churlish of us, as Britons under the Romans enjoyed a standard of living including sewers, schools and public works that was not equalled again until the industrial revolution and social reform!

Answer 5

because they gave them a better way of living.

Answer 6

because they were better off because of it.

Answer 7

because they are better than that