On 10 October 2014 01:40, Ros Knox & Michael Barry <rosmike@homemail.com.au> wrote:

China has been mentioned as a parallel for the Vilani, but this discussion puts me in mind of ancient Sparta.

<snip discussion of Sparta>

Thanks - that was all new info for me. It makes one wonder what societal trauma would be be required to make such drastic changes to a society in the space of a lifespan or two.