Quo Vadimus: Hadrian's Wall or Rome's Great Divide?

Op-Ed: Quo Vadimus: Hadrian's Wall or Rome's Great Divide?

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears as we delve into the construction project that's the talk of the empire.

Hadrian's Wall. Yes, the one and only. Not to be confused with a typical garden fence, it's an ambitious undertaking that's turning into a bit of a brick and mortar soap opera. Emperor Hadrian, in a move reminiscent of an overzealous homeowner with boundary issues, has decided to erect a wall. A wall that figuratively and literally divides our Roman Empire.

Now, we're all for a good fortification, but here's the question: in this era of expansion and inclusivity, shouldn’t we be building bridges instead of walls? The answer, my fellow Romans, is as clear as a glass of the finest Falernian wine.

First, let's make this clear - it's not just a wall. It's a 73-mile-long declaration of 'us' and 'them', stretching from sea to shining sea. It's a clear message to our 'Barbarian' neighbors - visitors unwelcome.

But here's the zesty olive in the amphora - we're Romans. We've thrived on diversity and inclusivity, blended cultures, and borrowed traditions. We've expanded our reach from the misty lands of Britannia to the scorching sands of Aegyptus. Rome has always been a beacon of inclusivity. We've embraced cultures from the Gauls to the Egyptians, and we've become richer for it. Our empire thrives on diversity. We've got Greek philosophers, Egyptian priests, Celtic warriors, and even a few crazy Germanic chieftains. All living together, sharing their ideas, their cultures, their foods, and yes, their wine. Have we become so fearful of the 'other' that we isolate ourselves behind a wall of stone and sweat of our own making?

One could argue, of course, that the wall is for defense. After all, who doesn't appreciate a nice secure border? But remember, fellow Romans, Rome wasn't built in a day - nor was it built behind a wall. Our strength lies not within quarried stones, but within the mettle of our citizens, inclusivity of our ideals, and the strength of our legions.

We've built roads that stitch this vast empire together, forums that resonate with lively debates, and baths that welcome all (Well, except for those Wednesday afternoons when it's 'senators only', but one can't have everything).

In short, we're builders, not dividers.

So, let's reconsider this Hadrian's Wall. Is it a symbol of our strength or our fear? Are we a fortress or a forum? A wall might protect us from our perceived enemies, but it also shields us from understanding, growth, and improvement. After all, how can we conquer the world if we're too scared to meet it?

As we move forward, let's remember - Roma invicta, not Roma insulata. Rome is unconquerable, not isolated. Our power comes from being open and inclusive, not secluded and divided.

Quo vadimus, Rome? Towards a future of barriers or a legacy of bridges? Let's choose wisely.