Empire of Barbarians

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Strong, powerful, and grand were the first words that came to my mind when I read the word empire.  An empire, in my opinion, is an organized system in a society where everyone works together for the greater good of their empire. These empires are lead by a robust, courageous and knowledgeable leader.  The first great empire that comes to mind is the Roman Empire one of the greatest and longest lasting empires known to man.  Some of the best thinkers and inventors came from this empire-helping advance our world to what it is today. Not all empires are as positive, such as the Nazi empire.  Hitler took advantage of and manipulated a poverty stricken society desperate for help. Millions of innocent people lost their lives and created racial tensions that still exist today. 

            Everyone is a part of an empire in one way or another.  The government is similar to an empire; even the educational system is an empire.  One self serves a purpose in their empire so that it can remain running smoothly.  Each person performs a task for the greater good of the empire.  Those who do not perform their functions within an empire may be considered an other because they are not helping the empire be the best that it can be. 

            Barbarians on the other hand, are uneducated human beings; they are violent, live in caves and hunt for their food to survive.  The first humans on earth were barbarians that slowly but surely learned from the world around them and each other and were able to invent things to make their everyday lives easier leading to how we are today. I got these ideas from history and observing the world around me.  There are various movies and televisions shows about empires and barbarians even empires of barbarians. 

The word "empire" to me makes me think of big corporations. It also makes me think of New York City and all the tall buildings of businesses that are there.  I feel as though this thought of mine has come from the song "Empire State of Mind". In this song the artists are referring to NYC.  Empire makes me thing of a group where there is a leader with many people working together for the same reason.  I also think of a group dominating in power, so much strength that nothing could possibly bring it down. Empire can relate to the "other" in the sense that if you are not one of them, you are the "other".  You do not belong if you can not conform to the group of people who are dominating with lots of power and control.  To be the "other" you are the underdog with little power and authority.

When i hear the word barbarians i think of cave men.  The men who are very uncivilized, have no manners, and are doing everything for the first time.  I also think of a man discovering fire and learning how to cook food.  Barbarians could also just be people who are very uncivil and live and act like people did long ago, with no innovations or knowledge of what to do.

I think my ideas about empire and barbarians came from the media and social networking.  People try and make you think of a word how they think you should see it.  I am sure many companies try and use specific terms such as empire to make you think about how much power they have.  Words come with a background and the first thing you think of is the last thing you remember to do with that word.  I recently watched one of my favorite movies, Encino Man, which made me think of cavemen when it came to the term barbarians.  It's all up to the persons perspective and what kind of media has influenced them the most.