You've just said it again Anchorman. You are condoning a system that wrote its own history.
I agree that many systems took their lead from it...that is why the world is in such a state today. Almighty God and Jesus weren't fooled...they knew that all these regimes were built upon the oppression, many deaths, and keeping of the common mass under the boot...then wrote pretty things about themselves.
You may have noticed that when Jesus appeared on the scene and gave a little spiritual comfort to the masses they gathered in great numbers to align with his comfort and kind words telling us just how deep and unpleasant the oppression was...this is why the followers of Jesus and Jesus himself had to go. It's a bit like the Mafia. Aggression, a few deaths, and the leader becomes a figure-head that must be obeyed. Hitler did a good imitation as well...and I can identify a few others. So...let's cut to the chase...Jesus died showing us a wonderful way of life that will still exist even after the great tribulations but the image-craft of creating fear and hysterical mindlessness will leave aboard the fiery lake of sulphur and we will all be able to enjoy righteousness which includes repair, resurrection and everlasting life. Hysterical control will be a thing of the past...even if ippy, and many others, seem to prefer it.
Don't blame me...blame Almighty God.
Whoa!
Where have I 'condoned history' NM?
Stating fact is not agreeing with the system.
We may put our own interpretation on the fact.
We may judge the system by our standards.
However fact remains fact, whether you or I like it or not.
All the evidence from objective historians, archaeology, etc shows that, for the most part. the Roman Empire survived as a relatively peaceful, cohesive structure.
You look at things from thre standpoint of Israel/Palestine in the first century - understandable, given the life and times of Christ - and the jumping off point that God used to build His church.
However historians cannot afford to be subjective - to do so skewes history.
With the best will in the world, Palestine, though a vital focus of our thoughts and faith, was never more than an irritation in first century Roman thought and actions.
Even the hell of Masada was a very minor 'policing exercise' in the scheme of things - in a vast empire where, for the most part, oppression and rebellion were consigned to the margins.
We may not like it.
We may not agree or condone the actions.
But we cannot ignore the facts.