Few events in
history are so intriguing to so many minds as the decline and fall of Rome.
From 27 BC to 476 AD the empire reigned over a majority of the Western world
and the eastern half survived on it's own as The Byzantine Empire until 1453 AD. At its height this
vast and powerful Empire spread from Egypt in the south to Britain in the north
and Syria in the east.[1] Rome, at one point, possessed the best conditioned soldiers in the world, conquered many great
nations, had an economy that flourished with trade, and a vigorous government
that conformed vast areas to unity under their laws.[2]
[1] Dr. George C Boeree, “The Philosophies
and Religions of the Roman Empire,” Webspace,
assessed November 10, 2012, http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/romanempire.html.
[2] Ibid.
Today, Rome's
law and form of government continues to be the foundation for which our own
legal system stands.[3]
It's no wonder why so many continue to stand in awe of it's fall; as this was
the glorious civilization dedicated to conquest and commitment to discipline
which in many ways created peace, order, institutions of senate, democracy, and
perpetuated the Greek tradition of government into today's western world.[4]
[3] Steven G. Calabresi, 2004.
"The Historical Origins of the Rule of Law in the American Constitutional Order." Harvard Journal Of Law & Public Policy 28, no. 1: 273-280.
Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed November 16, 2012).
[4] Ibid.
Rome also
contributed in a priceless way to modern architecture and technology. The use
of concrete in building feats which gave way to entertainment sites such as the
Coliseum; capturing the awe of thousands across the Empire far and wide.[5]
The invention of the aqueduct, providing fresh water to millions who occupied
Rome (a feat that was largely lost all throughout the Middle Ages.)[6]
Roman roads were in use for thousands of years and some of them still survive
today.[7]
[5] Rahmatabadi, Saeid, and
Reza Toushmalani. 2011. "Physical Order and Disorder in Roman Architecture
Style." Australian Journal Of Basic & Applied Sciences 5, no. 9:
399-405. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed November 16, 2012).
[6] Ibid.
[7] “Roman Roads,” History Learning Site, accessed November 12, 2012, http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/roman_roads.htm.
Rome had its
beginnings as humble tribes ruled largely by Etruscan kings.[8]
The Romans rose up in revolt against the monarchy in 509 BC, terming King
Tarquin a tyrant.[9] The Etruscan monarchs were overthrown by the protege of
Caesar, Marcus Brutus, in a campaign to set up their own republic
with the basis that no man would possess an exceeding amount of power.[10]
Nevertheless, it was the Etruscan civilization that influenced much of the
Greek culture adopted by the Roman Republic, including their alphabet, architecture,
early religious beliefs and agricultural practices.[11] This
series of events happened in very much the same way that America went about
provoking the revolution, and the Founding Fathers of our government largely
looked to the Romans and Greeks as a model, in hopes to learn from their
mistakes.[12]
[8] F. Cavazzi, “The Early Roman Republic,” Roman Empire, last modified April 12,
2012, http://roman-empire.net/republic/earlyrep-index.html.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Cynthia Haven, “Stanford scholar links
Rome and America in Philadelphia exhibition,” Standford, last modified February 19, 2010, http://news.stanford.edu/news/2010/february15/caroline-winterer-qanda-021910.html.
The Founders
had ample evidence to look to ancient Rome for lessons from history, for they
knew that Greek city-states up until Rome had produced some of the most chaotic
governments in history, in nearly all cases ending in mob rule, anarchy, and
tyranny under a central ruler.[13]
During this period, a man named Solon encouraged the establishment of a
secure form of government not subject to majority rule.[14] Although
the Greeks never accepted the advice of Solon, the Romans did.[15]
Based on their knowledge of Solons ideas of law they created the twelve tables of
Roman law and constructed a republic in which government was restricted much
like the early United States. [16] Because government was restricted, the citizens of Rome were liberated to
produce with the understanding that they could possess the benefits of their
toil.[17]
In time, Rome became a prosperous superpower and the leading light of the
western world.
[13] “The Fall of Ancient Greece,” Squidoo, accessed November 13, 2012, http://www.squidoo.com/fall_ancient_greece.
[14] N.S Gill, “Solon’s Constitution,” Ancient History, accessed November 8,
2012, http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/democracy/a/solonconstituti.htm
[15] Lloyd Duhaime, “530 BC – Solon’s Laws
(Greece), Duhaime, last modified
September 20, 2010, http://www.duhaime.org/LawMuseum/LawArticle-306/530-BC--Solons-Laws-Greece.aspx.
[16] Ibid.
[17] Ibid.
Despite the
heights of their successes, however, the Romans failed to remember the
foundations of their initial liberty and their mighty empire eventually
crumbled. At the beginning of the fifth century B.C, the Roman Empire was
under assault.[18]
Barbarians pushed onto the frontiers in response to changing weather patterns and distant
tribes began sweeping before them.[19]
It wasn't long until these tribes were able to defeat the already weakened
Roman army and the Roman Empire was split in half.[20] But
aside from these exterior facts, what really led to the demise of the Roman Empire?
Were the reasons for this split entirely exterior, or can the origins of such a
dramatic break be traced back to much larger interior problems that in turn caused
Rome's exterior demise?
[18] “The Fall of Rome,” Eyewitness to History, accessed November 12, 2012, http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/fallofrome.htm.
[19] Ibid.
[20] Ibid.
As is the case
in much of history, the origins of Rome's fall can be traced back to the
happenings of much earlier events. It turns out that Rome was in a heap of
trouble, and the troubles were not only skin deep. The Romans had dropped their
guard economically, going deeply into debt as inflation skyrocketed and trade
deficits with China and India shot through the roof.[21]
On top of the economic crisis that was unfolding, the hierarchy had become
corrupt with dominion seeking statesmen beginning to surpass the powers
permitted them in the Roman Constitution.[22]
Soon they recognized that they could vote in politicians who would utilize
government power to lay hold of property from one and hand it to another.[23]
The army learned it could play kingmaker and soon wielded its powers to great
ends.[24]
Agriculture and private cities were replicated as well as residence and health
programs.[25]
Taxes rose inevitably and powers over the privately owned sectors were
enforced.[26]
Wealthy monopolies surfaced and got around taxation which ultimately led a
virtually nonexistent middle class.[27]
Soon after, a great number of Rome's manufacturers were powerless to make ends
meet.[28]
Fruitfulness declined, scarcity developed, and multitudes of outsiders poured
in where weakness prevailed.[29]
[21] Joseph R. Peden, “Inflation and the Fall
of the Roman Empire,” Mises, accessed
November 10, 2012, http://mises.org/daily/3663.
[22] Ibid.
[23] Ibid.
[24] Ibid.
[25]Peter Heather, “Why Did Rome Fall? Its Time
For New Answers,” HNN, last modified
July 13, 2007, http://hnn.us/articles/40538.html/
[26] Ibid.
[27] Ibid.
[28] Lawrence W. Reed 1979.
"The Fall of Rome and Modern Parallels: The Respect For Life and Property" Vital Speeches Of The Day 45, no. 20: 629. Academic Search
Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed November 17, 2012).
[29] Ibid.
Naturally, we
are brought to the edge of dilemma in fathoming the idea of such a magnificent
empire coming to an end. Scholars for years have debated the causes of Rome's
fall. Some attribute it to the metallurgy containing led and
poisoning the elite.[30] Some attribute it to the decay of moral standards and
interbreeding of the elite,[31] and
still other's claim that Rome's fall was due to the lack of a trained army in
its latter years, which in turn led to it's subsequent
overthrow by barbarians.[32]
Standing in sharp contrast to the various theories of decline,
however, are the similarities that exist between Rome and a comparable
model that exists in our present day and age, the United States of America.[33]
The similarities between these two superpowers is striking even from their
humble origins. Indeed, both attained great power by humble beginnings. Both
revolted against kings they termed "tyrants" and rose to prominent
empires.[34]
Both began as republics that sought to form a system of government that never
gave total allowance of power to one individual solely.[35]
Both states rose and expanded.[36]
Both fought mighty battles and reached noble status through the overall wealth
of the nation and the supremacy of their armed forces.[37]
Both offered citizenship to the common man and both sought to hold systems of
government in which a man could largely keep the fruits of his labor.[38]
In light of these plentiful similarities, it is only natural for any curious
mind to probe further in asking, "Could these two who are so similar in
their origins also be similar in the path of their demises?"
[30] N.S Gill, “Fall of Rome, Why Did Rome
Fall” About, accessed November 12,
2012, http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/romefallarticles/a/fallofrome.htm.
[31] “Household Sex,” Roman Empire, accessed November 8, 2012, http://www.roman-empire.net/society/soc-household.html/
[32] “Fall of Rome, The Military’s Role,” 123 Help Me, accessed November 9,
2012, http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=22680.
[33] Martin M. Winkler. 2010.
"Ancient Rome and Modern America." American Historical Review 115,
no. 2: 529-530. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed November 17,
2012).
[34] T.S.Tsonchev,
“Is America the New Rome,” The Montreal Review, accessed November 12,
2012, http://www.themontrealreview.com/2009/Is-America-the-New-Rome.php.
[35] Ibid.
[36] Ibid.
[37] Ibid.
[38] Joseph R. Peden, “Inflation and the Fall
of the Roman Empire,” Mises, accessed
November 10, 2012, http://mises.org/daily/3663.
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