The rationale given below is based on “Europe Between the Oceans,” by the eminent archaeologist Barry Cunliffe. However, he might not agree entirely with my thrust.
The Roman Empire can be divided into three overlapping sectors: an economic sector (responsible for all goods and services), a military sector (responsible for the safety of the empire), and a government sector (responsible for strategy, funding, and taxation).
Starting around the 4th century, the government sector began consuming an increasing share of the total economic output, at the expense of the military sector, and it also increased taxation and money devaluation, which strained the economic sector. This shift in balance contributed to weakened defenses and eventually left the Roman Empire vulnerable to external invasions.
Although this situation was not the only problem Rome faced, it was the most serious. Finally, the legions were overwhelmed on the frontier, and Rome was sacked in AD 410. Of course, politicians blamed Christians and Christianity. In response, Augustine of Hippo penned a spirited defense of Christianity, “The City of God.”
The sorry fact was that Rome’s leaders did not behave as one would expect Christian leaders should (sound familiar?). They cared only about their own power, prestige, wealth, and sensual pleasures.
Although the Western Empire wobbled on another 50 years, it was all downhill, as the economic sector was no longer able to conduct as much of the needed business, and the legions were fragmented. At the end there was even civil strife, with legion vying against legion as rivals fought for control of the throne.
Given the parallels with current state of Western Civilization, it is not surprising to hear some say we are in a late Roman Empire stage.
Peace.
The Roman Empire can be divided into three overlapping sectors: an economic sector (responsible for all goods and services), a military sector (responsible for the safety of the empire), and a government sector (responsible for strategy, funding, and taxation).
Starting around the 4th century, the government sector began consuming an increasing share of the total economic output, at the expense of the military sector, and it also increased taxation and money devaluation, which strained the economic sector. This shift in balance contributed to weakened defenses and eventually left the Roman Empire vulnerable to external invasions.
Although this situation was not the only problem Rome faced, it was the most serious. Finally, the legions were overwhelmed on the frontier, and Rome was sacked in AD 410. Of course, politicians blamed Christians and Christianity. In response, Augustine of Hippo penned a spirited defense of Christianity, “The City of God.”
The sorry fact was that Rome’s leaders did not behave as one would expect Christian leaders should (sound familiar?). They cared only about their own power, prestige, wealth, and sensual pleasures.
Although the Western Empire wobbled on another 50 years, it was all downhill, as the economic sector was no longer able to conduct as much of the needed business, and the legions were fragmented. At the end there was even civil strife, with legion vying against legion as rivals fought for control of the throne.
Given the parallels with current state of Western Civilization, it is not surprising to hear some say we are in a late Roman Empire stage.
Peace.
