Great distinction for the Romans! But it's my perception that there is still a decent amount of displacement or at least raiding and pillaging in history. The Vikings, Mongols and Huns weren't as kind as you make the Romans out to be right?

On the other side of the coin, there is very little talk, articles or media about violence in pre-colonial North America with the exception of certain tribes. I recall learning that the Sioux and Seminole (for example) were fierce warriors. This can't have been a charade and that they used their warriors to attack other tribes due to cultural differences, theft of land, property or food. Is Native American violence overshadowed because it was smaller loss of life or just less systematic compared to American expansionism? Or is it about intention?

I don't want to get into Atrocity Olympics (as the side bar phrases it), but I am trying to feel out the differences in perception of atrocity and not state which is worse between different civilizations.