How Not To Pick Friends

No one can afford to fight everyone else. If the Medo-Persian Empire had taken cognizance of this truth, it would have accepted tribute from the Greeks, not insisted on homage. Insistence on homage, as opposed to a profitable alliance, which in politics is tantamount to friendship, led to demise of the Medo-Persian Empire.

If Alexander the Great had left Asia alone, he would have lived longer, and the Greek Empire likely would have survived much longer. Consequent on death of Alexander the Great — who in fact was a Macedonian , but who along with his father, Philip of Macedon, was willing to recognize superiority of Greek culture — frictions induced amongst Greeks, and between Greeks and Macedonians created room for emergence of Rome as ruler of the then known world. Hubris evident in ill fated decision of the Roman Empire to extend itself all the way to the modern day United Kingdom, and unwillingness of Roman Senators to treat Roman Generals (Julius Caesar) as equals, was in part contributory to demise of the Roman Empire. Silliness of Roman Senators is evident in the fact that subsequent to assassination of Julius Caesar (from 27 BC), and up until demise of the Roman Empire in 476 AD (over 500 years), the Senate would be subjugated to Roman Emperors.

Every entity — Individual, Organization, or Country — needs some friends — some…