Carthage couldn't conceive of ruling Rome, so they were wiped out by the Romans who couldn't conceive of a Mediterranean not dominated by a single power. The Confederacy had no intention of ruling Yankees, so they were wiped out by the Union who had no intention of letting the empire fracture. The left believes they are engaged in a fight to the death with an existential enemy, and the right doesn't want to fight anyone. This is why conservatives are doomed to failure.
The Carthaginians were sacrificing babies, which offended the Romans so much that they decided to wipe it off the map. Of course power and prestige were factors as well, but the initial disgust against their practices is not to be underestimated.
Carthage couldn't conceive of ruling Rome, so they were wiped out by the Romans who couldn't conceive of a Mediterranean not dominated by a single power. The Confederacy had no intention of ruling Yankees, so they were wiped out by the Union who had no intention of letting the empire fracture. The left believes they are engaged in a fight to the death with an existential enemy, and the right doesn't want to fight anyone. This is why conservatives are doomed to failure.
The Carthaginians were sacrificing babies, which offended the Romans so much that they decided to wipe it off the map. Of course power and prestige were factors as well, but the initial disgust against their practices is not to be underestimated.
Like the Romans were morally virtuous. They destroyed anyone who refused to bend to their will...