Madelyn Dinger

March10th 2011

HWLA Period 5

Apache vs. Ancient Romans

Throughout history, there have been many cities and monuments that are still here

today. Some of these places have left their mark in history. Most civilizations have many

similarities to one another no matter how long ago, or how far the other civilization was to the

other. Even though they can be quite the same, there can be vast differences as well. Take the

Apache and the Ancient Romans for instance. They both share some of the same common

values, but the way they practice this can differentiate. The Apache and Ancient Romans

juxtaposed each other in their religion, government, and the way they fought their enemies.

Though the Apache and Ancient Romans had a form of religion, they didn’t practice it

the same ways. The Apache were a spiritual people, while the Ancient Romans were

polytheistic. The Apache believed in no gods. They believe in reincarnation, and a spiritual

afterlife. The Apache believed their ancestors were reborn; then they would live among the

tribe to help guide them. Plus, the Apache would chant to their spiritual ancestors. On the other

hand, the Ancient Romans had a belief system in which they had believed in multiple gods.

Their gods were to explain everyday life, and the things in nature. For example, there was an

individual god for the sun, sea, beauty, marriage, and many other things.

Both the Apache people and the Ancient Romans had a type of government. However,

they also had a different view on how their government was ruled. The people of the Apache

tribe basically governed themselves because they were all equal. They had complete freedom in

their everyday choices. The only main power had come from the chief of the tribe. The chief

would decide things according to the benefit of his people with the help of the tribes’ spiritual

ancestors. In contrast, the Ancient Romans held their government as a monarchy. Their king

took absolute power. Not everyone was equal, the women held no power, and weren’t even

considered citizens! Through time however, the whole monarchy thing had failed so the

Romans ended up turning into a republic, then and empire was formed.

Apache and Ancient Romans were both known for fighting with their enemies. They

would both fight, and were feared by others. Of course, their ways on war strategy differed.

The Apache tribes’ methods were raiding neighboring tribes, or going to battle (once the horse

was introduced to North America) the Apache would fight on horseback with bows and arrows.

The Apache tribe would often raid near villages for food and weapons, but they would do so

very stealthily. In times of battle, the Apache were fierce and brutal. They would attack hard

and without warning to the opposite side. The Apache would even scalp their killings! On the

other hand, the Ancient Romans had different legions and units in an army. As kids, the Ancient

Romans were trained to be “fit for duty”. The Roman armies were very powerful and conquered

a lot of territories. One of the main tactics of the Roman army was to have phalanxes.

Phalanxes are rows of soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder.

As you can see, both the Apache and the Ancient Romans have had the same

experience doing most of the same things. Though they had differed in many ways, they were

more similar than you would think. Both the Apache and the Ancient Romans were very hard

working civilizations in our history. They had each had religions, government, and times at

battle. Of course they had their ups, downs, and differences, but they are more similar than

anything else.

Citations

Beaumont-Wilkins, Roger. “Ancient Roman Religion.” Paganism ; Past & Present 1. Web. 5 Mar 2011 <http://library.thinkquest.org/28111/newpage1.htm>.

Team, Think Quest. “Government” History and Government (1999): 3. Web. 5 Mar 2011 <http://library.thinkquest.org/26602/government.htm>.

“The Roman Army.” Roman Army n. 1 Web. 9 Mar 2011. <http://www.roman-empire.net/army/army.html>.

“Apache Tribal Nation.” Apache Tribe n. 1. Web. 3 Mar 2011. <http://www.greatdreams.com/apache/apache-tribe.htm>.