I know this. But maybe I'm loosing knowledge (or at least 'misplacing it' as I get older. 

The 'First Reich' I believe, at least in the Nazi philosophy, was the Roman Empire, but what is considered to have been the second?

Was it the Weimar Republic or Bismarck's period, or something else (although one of thiose rings a bell)?

I recall reading all about this when I was younger, but as I said, I think the knowledge 'fell out'.   

Wow, I never knew that.  Very interesting.

"The 'First Reich' I believe, at least in the Nazi philosophy, was the Roman Empire"

Might make an interesting History 101 paper.

My read is that the Romans were not out to slaughter populations as the N's did on Jews and Slavs.  The Romans did kill opposition leaders and assimilated defeated populations into their commercial empire and made them citizens.  Commerce was the life of the Empire so what was the point in eradicating populations?  They had no problems with doing what ever was necessary to hostile tribes to gain submission. They also imposed Roman law in conquered territory.  Whatever else, a uniform system of settling disputes and the basis for Western law.

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Too True. The "Holy Roman Empire" has absolutely nothing to do with the Ancient Rome that we are all familiar with. In fact, it's a bit perplexing as to how they came up with the 'term' at all. The Roman Empire was long dead by the time the term was first coined.  

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Again, very true, Nickle. A few of the more recent Conquerers and Dictators could well have learnt a few things from the Romans. Although they could be quite brutal when discipline and punishment needed to be meted out, they actually were very successful in providing law, order, advancement, technology (of the day) and superior methods of trade, agriculture, mining and public utilities.

I imagine (and it has been reported first hand in the writings of Pliny and his ilk), that most of the 'conquered peoples' were far better off, and knew it, under Roman rule. But then, there's no accounting for that human need to be free to stuff your life (and country) up, and no-one was going to let the Romans improve their quality of life (and that of their countrymen) without a stiff fight!!................

For instance, after Judea was conquered in 63BC, the Romans, although the victors, made treaty with Judea not to interfere in 'secular' (religious) issues and granted the people great freedom. They actually brought much order to a troubled land.

In the words of Pontius Pilate (govenor of Judea during Jebus' public life) "All Rome wants is peace and taxes, the rest of this rubish is not my concern" (or words to that effect......lol)

Rome offered citizenship to all conquered peoples, except those that were seen as a threat of some kind the the 'tenets' of SPQR. These were made slaves, but even then had the opportunity to earn their freedom through a couple of different means.

All in all, it wasn't really a bad life. Except, citizenship for men between 15 and 35 (I think) meant a five year stint in the Army, which although it had it's good points, could be a hard life in the wrong province.

Romanus popoluspue est maximum donus legatum

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Weren't that those annoying little bastards in Medieval Total War? Just like the French, The Brits, The Spannish, ... ?

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Hey,I could easily spread the Reich over half of Europe. I even dared to attack the pope himself...*evilgrin*
Unfortunately,he and many other catholic nations then declared war on me. And that was just too much.

Felix,it's okay. He's talking about a great strategy game set in the medieval. Conquer Europe,make allies and enemies and lead huge armies into battle as a general.
More infos: http://www.totalwar.com/
All in fun.

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Actually, that's WHY it was named the "Holy Roman..." the Empire's "king" (or head king, etc.) was named/crowned/blessed by the Roman Catholic Pope.

so what?

there was the holy roman empire (is that like a religious empire with the POPE as supreme commander basically).

and the roman empire (the one the controled Northern England to Northern Africa).

the second reich was under bismarck?

and the third reich was hitler?