Rubicon: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic

by Tom Holland

in the centuries that followed the conversion of Constantine, came to be established as state religions across Europe and the Middle East. The consequence of this, it seems to me, was a transformation of morals, emotions and social values so radical that it spelt, over the long run, the end of antiquity itself.

Beautiful and poignant observation

Human nature is universally imbued with a desire for liberty, and a hatred for servitude.

Freedom !!!

The East, unlike Rome, was familiar with kings. The stern subtleties of republicanism meant little to people who could conceive of no form of government save monarchy, and might on occasion even worship their sovereigns as divine. To the Romans, naturally, this superstition appeared contemptible.

Ilustrates the difference between science and religion.