Empire

Imperialism requires the sacrifice of ideals and soldiers. It starts good wars, in which not too many civilians die and businesses get control of markets and resources, but any successful atrocity demands further atrocities. Under the piles of bodies are the heroes of the revolution, who had skills that the empire used and abused. Even heroes can be denigrated for dying too easily. Either killing or being killed suits the interests of the state. God doesn’t build cathedrals, but empire. Gold from the imperial treasury glorifies the altars. Let’s honor the dead there and get it over with. Therefore, let mothers and widows weep. It’s good for them. It brings them closure and keeps their thoughts from what their men really died for.