this post was submitted on 28 Aug 2025
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Explanation: One of the early excuses for the Roman general Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul was that several Gallic tribes requested his help in expelling a Germanic invader by the name of Ariovistus. Caesar would expel Ariovistus, and then go on to 'overstay' his welcome amongst the Gallic tribes, putting Gaul under effective Roman domination.
... for bonus points, Ariovistus was, himself, invited in by Gallic tribes who needed help against their enemies, and then overstayed his welcome in subduing the locals to effective Germanic vassalage.
One thinks that Gallic politics might've been a bit self-defeating...
Kinda reminds me how the Greek Leagues kept allying with the Romans in order to defeat the Macedon kingdoms, which caused Rome to estabilish larger and larger presence in Greece, while the Greek leagues and kingdoms weakened, until they inevitably annexed them.
Come to think about it, the Aztecs themselves were partly defeated because they were so hated, every other tribe in the vicinity helped the Conquistadors, which ultimately was catastrophic for everyone but Spain.
Better the monster you know...
It's just folly to get someone bigger and stronger to beat up the big, strong guy. Because then you're expecting a big, strong country/empire to be honorable to the terms of assistance and decide to not reign as the new biggest, strongest guy.
No state has ever gotten big and strong by being honorable.
You replace your enemy with an even stronger enemy
There was an old lady who swallowed a fly...