Largest country/empire

[Anathema]

Mmmmmm, wasn't count Dracula the count Vlad Tepes? (or something like that)

I read this story that he collected all the beggers in his county in a hall, gave them food and asked if they would want to be without trouble. Of course the beggers said yes. Then he had the hall barred and set on fire. Then he said:"Now there is no more poverty in my county".

[Caid Ivik]

Aah, just Antonescu's propaganda against monarchists.

[Anathema]

Ha, of course- you were there to witness it didn't happen ::).

[Caid Ivik]

I haven't said I've been there, but much of old legends are half-true. Even zealot like me doesn't believe i.e. all passages in Bible are true.

[Edric O]

Good old Dracula repelled them

No, actually he didn't really do much. And he only ruled for a short time. Vlad Tepes had no major victories over the Ottomans. All he did was scare the hell out of them, with his, err... "creative methods". :)

Our best medieval military commander was Stefan the Great. And later, Mihai Viteazul (he conquered all Romanian-inhabited territories, crowned himself as King of all Romanians, proclaimed full independence and prepared to invade the Ottoman Empire itself - but was quickly assasinated by the Austrians, because he endangered the status quo)

but also biggest part of Romania was hungarian

No, just 1/3. The region called Transylvania.

Other part was under russian influence

Polish, not russian. The Russians weren't much of a power back then. But Poland was.

[Caid Ivik]

Ah yes, Poland was then nearly the biggest european nation. With Lithuania in union also. In 16th century they nearly conquered Russia, Lzidmitrijs were installed by them I think.

[Inoculator9]

Poland was doing pretty well for themselves at the time.

[Caid Ivik]

Ya Hiya Chouhada Meszek! ;D

[Sardauker-Kirov]

I rather stick to Japan or Germany ;D

[Inoculator9]

Japan and Germany id well for themselves, but never could it have surpassed some of the ancient empires.

[Caid Ivik]

So, Japan and Germany aren't best example of stable and unite empire.

[Sardauker-Kirov]

Maybe so, maybe not. I admire their military achievements in WW2

I'm not saying that I like it that they killed jews.

Their patriotic feeling for their nation is very inspiring.

[Inoculator9]

The real Japanese and German militaries were expansionists, not patriots. The citizens of their countries were misled by propeganda.

[Acriku]

Weren't the Japanese soldiers told that if they die they go to heaven? That's a good way to get them to fight.

[Sardauker-Kirov]

Geez, every country say to their soldiers. ;)

[Anathema]

Kamikaza = Divine wind

Pilots that made suicide attacks would end up in heaven- supposedly.

[Sardauker-Kirov]

It's unbelieveable that they die for their country.

On the other side, it's a very honorable thing to do, on the other side, it's madness.

Japanese soldiers suicided if they were in the enemies hands, and if they didn't see a way to break free from the prison or something else that fits in the category.

[Inoculator9]

The best way to control a military is to convince them they'll be rewarded for their sacrifice. If we were to tell our soldiers that they would go to hell if they supported us they'd run away.

[Ghosty_Square]

It's unbelieveable that they die for their country.

Let's say you wouldn't die for your country. Would you die to save another human's life?

[Acriku]

It's not unbelieveable - it happens in every battle in every country. In the heat of war, everything changes. It isn't fight to survive, it is to fight to win. If that meant jumping on a grenade to save your squad, then so be it.

[Sardauker-Kirov]

Yes, you can say that now. But some people doubt or fear death if they want to save their squad from a grenade or something like that.

The Palestines and Israel is taking the word "die for your people and country" too literally.

[Inoculator9]

I don't think it can be taken to literally. Die for your country means exactly what it says.

[Sardauker-Kirov]

Yeah.... ::)

I saw a video clip from Israel, they gave some guy a potion, and strapped his body with explosives.

[Acriku]

What do you mean? Things become very different in the frontlines, and since I've never been there it could very well be an understatement. Sure there are people who can't take the idea of dying, I can't deny that.

What do you mean too literally? Dying for your country is just that, dying for your country! Whatever method you use, it is dying for your country.

[Inoculator9]

Do you mean they drugged him? That can be interpreted as such because you force other people to die for your country.