Sign of the Shadow

[The Might]

Well I disagree Gondor can be really compared to Numenor.
Gondor were fighting a superior enemy (that could overpower them by numbers) and they fought to maintain their realm and ensure their safety mostly.
The Numenoreans on the other hand fought adversaries that stood absolutely no chance against them, and their only purpose was to conquer and to enslave these populations.

Though now that you mention it, I do see a resemblance between Gondor and the Roman Empire.
By conquering the area south of the Sea of Rhun and south towards Umbar, Gondor created a protection area around the core of their realm, also creating a "Pax Gondoriana".
In my opinion the same happens in the beginning of the Fourth Age.
The Reunited Kingdom (with Rohan's help) ensures for the safety of pretty much all the inhabitants of north-western Middle-earth. Even the Hobbits, the Druedain, the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain and the Men of Esgaroth are under their protection.
It is stated that Aragorn and Eomer fought together in areas far to the east, probably in order to re-create this protectory area.

PS: I like the thread.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

I'm not so sure they are very different. Gondor is supposed to be lesser, decayed, fallen away: Faramir says that they have become more like the "Middle Men," loving warfare for its own sake. Gondor's expansion is a reflection of its pride and power--and for Tolkien, Pride and Power never lead anyplace good.

T himself opposed imperialism, disliked the British Empire (as opposed to England), was an early supporter of Irish Home Rule, and came young to the conclusion the Boer War was wrong.

Of course, it was also necessary for the 'plot' of 3rd Age history that Gondor be mighty while Arnor fell apart- and also for its former might to give an Ozymandias feel to the time of Denethor.