The Romans sure did have parties. They were called the Blues and the Greens, and at one time much earlier there were also the Reds and the Whites. They were, seeing them from here and now, sort of a hybrid political party and sports association. They ran chariot race teams and other sports teams, and had great political power. If the current Emperor was Blue and you were Green, there was just about zilch chance of being a civil servant or doing business with the State.

Dave Oesterreich