Sam Shantz

This is an interesting thought, and it assumes a level of cooperation between cultures that is next to unheard of in early-modern to modern times, but if that cooperation were possible, I would say call it accurate, if hyperbolic. It also runs somewhat parallel to another idea I once read (also in fiction), which suggested that had the Roman Empire endured, humanity would already be colonizing the solar system. Personally I prefer Mr. Burroughs' idea, as the former seems to be an overestimation of Roman culture.