,LESSONS FROM ! ,FALL ( ,ROME 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ANONYM\S 

,TEXT 3 

,ONE DAY %ALL COME ( HAU<TY ,ROME1 A DES]V$ BL[ FROM HEAV54 ,Y\ WILL BE PLUND]$ & DE/ROY$ & ) WAIL+ & GNA%+ ( TEE? Y\ WILL PAY4 

- ,CYBEL9E ,ORACLE 

,9 !SE TIMES ,I ?9K IT IS IMPORTANT & 9SPIR+ TO REMEMB] ! FALL ( ,ROME1 AS P>ABLE & AS ANALOGY4 ,ROME IS REMEMB]$ AS ! GREATE/ ( ANCI5T CIVILIZATIONS4 ,ITS ACCOMPLI%M5TS >E CELEBRAT$ JU/ AS ! SO-CALL$ ADVANCEM5TS ( ?IS CIVILIZATION1 AT ! EXP5SE ( ! WORLD1 >E TRUMPET$4 ,FROM ! BEG9N+1 ,ROME HAD BUILT ITS EMPIRE BY CONQUE/ & =CE ( >MS4 ,IT WAS RU?LESS 9 ITS LU/ = P[]1 & 09SATIABLE 9 ITS AMBITION01 DEF9+ QUALITIES *>ACT]I/IC ( ALL CIVILIZATION ITSELF4 ,ROME WAS AN IMP]IALI/ EMPIRE1 AS !Y ALL >E1 ?AT CONTROLL$ A GREAT P>T ( !IR KN[N WORLD & EXP&$ CONT9UALLY ?R\< CONQUE/ & COLONIZATION4 ,! ,EMPIRE AMASS$ HUGE >MIES ( SLAVES NE$$ TO BUILD UP ! MON/] & ON :OSE BACKS ! EMPIRE WAS F\ND$4 ,BUT ! 5SLAV$ & HUMILIAT$ B>B>IANS W]E TIR$ ( IT4 ,AS ,ROME WAG$ ITS W>S ( CONQUE/1 REBELLION PLAGU$ ! EMPIRE & DEM&$ CON/ANT REPRESSION4 

,I DO NOT ?\< MAKE A DI/9CTION BETWE5 DIFF]5T OR SEP>ATE CIVILIZATIONS4 ,!RE >E DIFF]5T CULTURES & SOCIETIES1 DIFF]5T V>IATIONS1 BUT !RE IS ONLY ONE CIVILIZATION4 ,ALL ! CIVILIZ$ SOCIETIES = ! LA/ #a1 YE>S >E ALL P>T ( ! SAME MON/]1 ! SAME PA?OLOGY4 ,I ONLY USE ,ROME AS AN EXAMPLE4 ,= AT ! TIME IT WAS ! MO/ EGREGI\S EXAMPLE ( CIVILIZATION'S DE/RUCTIV5ESS4 

,JU/ LIKE ! ,U,S1 ,ROME 5G5D]$ EXTREME CONTEMPT FROM ITS NEI<BORS & COLONIES4 ,AT ! HEI<T ( ITS IMP]IAL REIGN1 DISLIKE = ! ,ROMAN ,EMPIRE ALSO REA*$ A PEAK4 ,RES5TM5T FE/]$ ON ! P]IPH]Y4 ,NOT ONLY W]E PEOPLE DEGRAD$ BY ,ROME'S COLONIZATION ( !M1 BUT ALSO ,ROMAN (FICIALS' FLAUNT+ ( !IR WEAL? MADE !M CONTEMPTU\S & JEAL\S4 ,ROMANS ALWAYS REVEL$ 9 GR&IOSE DISPLAYS ( P[]4 ,!Y RODE GOLD PLAT$ *>IOTS ?R\< ! /REETS ) GOLD WOV5 9TO !IR CLO!S ATT5D+ LAVI% P>TIES CELEBRAT+ !IR EXCESS4 ,AM]ICANS DRIVE >\ND 9 !IR ,S,U,V'S ) DIAMOND R+S & FANCY CLO!S1 ALL CREAT$ FROM ! SLAVE LABOR ( !IR COLONIES4 ,AM]ICANS CONQU] & SLAU<T] PEOPLE ALL OV] ! WORLD1 !N R$IRECT ALL !IR RI*ES & RES\RCES BACK TO ,U,S CORPORATIONS4 ,?IS LEAVES ! PEOPLE UNABLE TO SUPPLY !MSELVES ) :AT IS LEFT & UNABLE TO LIVE SELF-SUFFICI5TLY1 =C+ !M TO DEP5D ON ! COLONIZ]4 ,& WE WOND] :Y WE >E HAT$8 ,WE1 ! ,ROMANS1 >E LIV+ 9 PL5TY (F ! BLOOD SOAK$ /OL5 RI*ES ( \R CONQU]$ & COLONIZ$ VICTIMS4 

,I HAVE NO MORE FAI? ?AN A GRA9 ( MU/>D 9 ! FUTURE ( 'CIVILIZATION' ,I KN[ N[ IT IS DOOM$ TO DE/RUCTION-- PROBABLY BE=E V]Y LONG4 ,:AT A JOY IT IS TO ?9K (1 & H[ (T5 IT CONSOLES ME TO ?9K ( B>B>ISM ONCE MORE FLOOD+ ! WORLD1 ) REAL FEEL+S & PASSIONS-- H[EV] RUDIM5T>Y--TAK+ ! PLACE ( \R WRET*$ HYPOCRISIES4 

- ,WILLIAM ,MORRIS 

,IT %\LD BE NO SURPRISE ?AT ! LOCAL ,ROMAN VIC]OY P>AD+ HIS RI*ES ?R\< ! /REETS W\LD E>N ! HATR$ DIRECT$ AGA9/ ! RUL]S & GOV]NORS & ALL !Y REPRES5T4 ,A LAT] CONSEQU5CE ( ?IS WAS ?AT ! CIVILIZ$ RUL]S ( PEOPLES ?AT ,ROME HAD COLONIZ$ GREW JEAL\S & DEM&$ ?AT ,ROME %>E ITS WEAL?4 ,?IS L$ SEV]AL SU* NON-,ROMAN RUL]S1 REF]R$ TO AS B>B>IANS1 YET AS CIVILIZ$ AS ANY ,ROMAN GOV]NOR1 TO REVOLT & ATTACK ,ROME DEM&+ A PORTION ( ITS SPOILS4 ,CO9CID5TALLY1 ?IS WAS ! SITUATION ) ! FAM\S B>B>IAN GR\P ?AT SACK$ ,ROME 9 #da ,A,D ?AT SUPPOS$LY />T$ ! DECL9E ( ! ,ROMAN ,EMPIRE4 ,! LEAD] ( ?AT ,GAELIC TRIBE1 ,AL>IC1 WAS AN 9TELLECTUAL1 A ?OR\<LY CIVILIZ$ MAN :O WAS WELL READ 9 ALL ! CLASSICAL WORKS1 :O SPOKE ,LAT9 FLU5TLY & WAS A GREAT RESPECT] ( ,ROME4 

,HE 5JOY$ ! RESPECT ( ,ROMAN (FICIALS & WAS ?\<T ( AS NOBLE BY !M4 ,HE ?\<T HE & HIS PEOPLE DES]V$ A SLICE ( ! PIE ( ,ROME'S RI*ES4 ,SO HE ORD]$ HIS >MIES TO ATTACK ,ROME FROM ! NOR? & SURPRIS+LY MET ) LITTLE TO NO RESI/ANCE4 ,HIS =CES W]E EV5 WELCOM$ AT TIMES1 AS ! POOR ( ! ,ROMAN CITIES_/COLONIES SID$ ) HIM & HIS >MIES HOP+ = A REPRIEVE FROM ! OPPRESSIVE ,ROMAN ORD]4 ,HE MADE IT ALL ! WAY TO ! CITY ( ,ROME ITSELF & DEM&$ HUGE RANSOMS ( GOLD1 SILV]1 CROPS1 & IRON :5 HIS PROTE/S W]E NOT HE>D4 ,HIS =CES W]E HELD AT BAY \TSIDE ! DEF5D$ CITY UNTIL SLAVES )9 ,ROME OP5$ UP ! GATES & LET ! B>B>IANS 94 

,IT WAS 9CONCEIVABLE ?AT ! V]Y CITY ( ,ROME ITSELF 9 ! HE>T ( ! EMPIRE C\LD BE ATTACK$ & DE/ROY$4 ,ROMANS ?\<T ! CAPITAL UNT\*ABLE & NEV] ?\<T !Y MI<T BE VULN]ABLE OR ?AT !Y C\LD BE VICTIMS !MSELVES4 ,IT AWAK5$ ,ROME TO ! ?REAT ITS CRUEL POLICIES CREAT$4 ,?IS ATTACK WAS AN OM5 ( CATA/ROPHE4 

,AS ,ROME GREW SO TOO DID ! RE/ ( ! WORLD'S HATR$ ( IT4 ,JU/ AS ,AM]ICANS DO N[1 ,ROME FAC$ 9CREAS+ HO/ILITY FROM ! RE/ ( ! WORLD IT \<T TO DOM9ATE4 ,BE=E ,SEPTEMB] #a#a?1 ANTI-,U,S S5TIM5T WAS AT AN ALL TIME HI<4 ,) ,AM]ICA'S NEW FUMBL+ PUPPET RUL]1 SON ( A =M] DICTATOR HAT$ = HIS [N BLOODY RULE1 ,AM]ICA'S >ROGANCE & BRUTALITY W]E BR\<T TO ! SURFACE & MADE EASI] TO SEE = :AT IT IS4 

,) ,AM]ICA'S BLOCK+ ( ! ,KYOTO PROTOCOL1 :I* WAS A WORLD WIDE ATTEMPT TO SL[ D[N ! 9DU/RIAL EMISSIONS ( GRE5H\SE GASES1 7A PITIFUL LIB]AL RE=M ATTEMPT AT US+ LEGISLATION TE*NIQUES TO /OP 9DU/RIALISM'S DE/RUCTION ( ! PLANET7 WORLD WIDE FRU/RATION DIRECT$ AT ! ,IMP]IAL 5TITY ?AT IS DRIV+ LIFE ON E>? T[>DS DEA? ROSE TO A HI< PUBLIC PIT*4 ,U,S COV]T ACTIONS & BACK+ ( RU?LESS DICTATORS HAS E>N$ US ! REPUTATION ( BRUTAL OV]LORDS1 & CAUS$ GREAT DISLIK+ ( ,AM]ICA = YE>S4 ,LIKEWISE1 ,ROME'S MILIT>Y CONQUE/S BUILT UP 5EMIES ( ,ROME ?AT GREW 9 RANKS AS ! CAMPAIGNS ( CONQUE/ CONT9U$4 ,!SE PEOPLE F\<T BACK1 WAG+ MORE & MORE ATTACKS ON ! EVIL EMPIRE4 ,RESI/ANCE TO ,ROME BECAME MORE SUCCESSFUL :5 B>B>IAN SOLDI]S :O W]E =C$ TO S]VE 9 ! ,ROMAN >MY RETURN$ TO !IR HOME & US$ !IR NEW MILIT>Y KN[L$GE AGA9/ ! COLONIZ] !Y LE>N$ IT FROM4 

,NATURE ITSELF SEEM$ TO BE CONSPIR+ AGA9/ ! EMPIRE4 

,O!R ?+S ( NOTE BR\<T ,ROME TO ITS DEMISE4 ,ROME HAD O!R BILLS TO PAY4 ,! *ICK5S DID COME HOME TO ROO/ 9 ,ROME 9 ! V>I\S ATTACKS & RAIDS1 REVOLTS1 UPRIS+S & P[] /RUGGLES4 ,BUT !Y ALSO CAME FROM NATURE1 :I* ,ROME HAD OV]TAX$ BEYOND ITS LIMITS4 ,IT WAS TIME = ,ROME TO PAY UP ON ! DEBT IT HAD BORR[$ FROM ! ECOSY/EM4 ,! AQU$UCTS ?AT >E ACCLAIM$ AS SO TE*NOLOGICALLY ADVANC$1 ?AT E>N$ ,ROME SU* HI< RESPECT FROM MOD]N CIVILIZATION & ?AT SET ,ROME AP>T 9 HI/ORY2 DRA9$ ! WAT] RES]VOIRS ?AT ONCE QU5*$ ITS DIABOLICAL ?IR/4 ,!SE WAT] S\RCES ?AT ALL[$ SO MANY TO LIVE S$5T>Y LIVES SO UNNATURALLY 9 HUGE NUMB]S1 CR[D$ 9TO CITIES MADE ( DRI$ E>?1 EV5TUALLY RAN \T & /OPP$ FE$+ ?IS CRAZ$ JUGG]NAUT4 ,! NATURAL AQUIF]S HAD BE5 DRA9$1 & ! ECOSY/EMS ?AT ?RIV$ 9 !M DE/ROY$4 

,! ROADS ,ROME >E FAM\S = DE/ROY$ ECOSY/EMS ACROSS ITS EMPIRE4 ,!SE ROADS ALL[$ = EASY TRANSPORT ( P]SONNEL1 MILIT>Y TRADE1 & ! EV]YDAY MANAG+ ( ! EMPIRE4 ,!Y SEP>AT$ 9TACT ECOSY/EMS1 DISRUPT$ ANIMALS' T]RITORIES1 & CREAT$ >TIFICIAL B\ND>IES ?AT AFFECT$ ESS5TIAL ANIMAL BEHAVIOR4 ,FUR!RMORE1 !Y CREAT$ WAT] RUN(F PROBLEMS & ]OSION4 ,! ROADS1 :I* ALL[$ ,ROME TO GR[ & MA9TA9 ITS EMPIRE1 CONTRIBUT$ TO AN ECOLOGICAL DISA/]4 

,TRULY1 ! H]ITAGE ( ,ROME IS A DES]T4 ,IT CLE>-CUT ! =E/S 9 ITS COLONIES JU/ AS SURELY AS IT DID ITS [N4 ,CIVILIZATION'S T\* DE/ROYS NATURE :]EV] IT GOES4 ,OV]-HUNT+1 & AGRICULTURAL ATTEMPTS TO FE$ ! MASSIVE POPULATION DEPLET$ ! 0NATURAL RES\RCES0 7A CIVILIZ$ WORD = PLANTS & ANIMALS74 ,SOIL ]OSION & SAL9IZATION BY AGRICULTURE SOMETIMES L$ TO ! 9ABILITY TO FE$ ! POPULATION1 & IT CONTRIBUT$ 9 ! LONG RUN TO ! COLLAPSE ( ! EMPIRE4 

,WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS H[ BITT]LY WE WILL BE HAT$ AMONG =EIGN NATIONS BECAUSE ( ! \TRAGE\S CONDUCT ( ! M5 WE HAVE S5T TO GOV]N !M4 ,ALL ! PROV9CES >E COMPLA9+ AB\T ,ROMAN GRE$ & ,ROMAN 9JU/ICE4 ,I REM9D Y\ G5TLEM51 ,ROME WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD \T AGA9/ ! :OLE WORLD4 ,I DO NOT MEAN AGA9/ ITS P[] & >MS AT W>1 BUT AGA9/ ITS GROANS1 TE>S1 & LAM5TATIONS4 

- ,CIC]O 

,ROME WAS ! GREATE/ EMPIRE 9 ! WORLD BECAUSE IT WAS EV] EXP&+4 ,IT GREW TO 5COMPASS ALL ! L& BORD]+ ! ,M$IT]RANEAN ,SEA1 9TO ,AFRICA1 ! ,MIDDLE ,EA/ AS F> AS ! ,CASPIAN ,SEA4 ,IT EXT5D$ F> TO ! NOR? ?R\<\T ,FRANCE & DEEPLY 9TO ,5GL&4 ,BUT ! EMPIRE OV]EXT5D$ ITSELF4 ,IT GREW SO BIG ?AT EV5 ) ITS MANY T5TACLES IT C\LD NOT MA9TA9 CONTROL4 ,! EMPIRE HAD BECOME UNMANAGEABLE4 ,ITS >MIES C\LD NOT BE EV]Y:]E AT ONCE1 & TOOK TOO LONG CROSS+ ! EMPIRE :5 NE$$4 ,IT BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO MA9TA9 ORD] SO F> FROM ! CAPITAL4 

,ROME1 AS A L>GE & COMPLEX SOCIETY1 HAD A HUGE BUREAUCRACY4 ,BUREAUCRACIES REPRODUCE !MSELVES1 & >E EV] GR[+4 ,EV5TUALLY1 ! BUREAUCRACY GREW SO L>GE ?AT IT BECAME UNMANAGEABLE1 IT GREW TOP HEAVY1 & CRUMBL$ UND] ITS [N WEI<T4 ,GETT+ FOOD & PROVISIONS TO ! >MIES ON ! FRONTI] BECAME H>D] AS ! FRONTI]S EXP&$ FUR!R \T4 ,ORD]S TOOK TOO LONG TO GET TO ! F> REA*ES ( ! EMPIRE & DIRECT CONTROL BECAME IMPOSSIBLE4 ,:5 ,ROME FELL IT WAS WAG+ W>S ON ALL SIDES1 DEF5D+ ALL ITS BORD]S4 ,ON A P>ALLEL NOTE1 WE >E SEE+ A RISE 9 ATTACKS DIRECT$ AGA9/ ,AM]ICA & ITS SYMBOLS & MONUM5TS ( P[]4 

,I ?9K SOME?+ ?AT %\LD NOT GO UNNOT$ >E ! SLAVE REVOLTS )9 ,ROME4 ,ROME'S SLAVES \TNUMB]$ ITS CITIZ5S TWO TO ONE 9 SOME PLACES1 SO GREAT ATT5TION WAS NE$$ TO KEEP !M 9 CONTROL4 ,SLAVES W]E FE>$ BY ! >I/OCRACY :O KNEW ?AT IF GIV5 ! *ANCE1 MANY W\LD SLIT !IR ?ROATS :ILE !Y SLEPT4 ,! TRU? 9 ! SITUATION WAS EXPRESS$ 9 ! OLD PROV]B 0,EV]Y SLAVE IS AN 5EMY01 %[+ ?AT ! ,ROMANS KNEW !Y W]E DESPIS$ BY !IR SLAVES4 

,( C\RSE1 A HUGE FACTOR 9 ! FALL ( ,ROME WAS ! /RUGGLE = P[]4 ,LATE 9 ,ROME'S HI/ORY ! ,EMPIRE SPLIT BETWE5 ! ,EA/ & ! ,WE/4 ,IT IS WOR? NOT+ ?AT IT WAS 9 ONE ( !SE /RUGGLES = P[] ?AT EMP]OR ,CON/ANT9OPLE REPORT$LY SAW ! VISION ( A BURN+ CROSS 9 ! SKY ) ! WORDS 0,9 HOC SIGNO V9CES01 0,BY ?IS SIGN Y\ WILL CONQU]04 ,HE HAD ! CROSS PA9T$ ON ! %IELD ( HIS >MY & WAS VICTORI\S AGA9/ HIS RIVAL = P[] 9 A BLOODY BATTLE \TSIDE ( ,ROME4 ,?IS WAS ! FIR/ 9 A LONG L9E ( VIOL5T BATTLES F\<T = P[] UND] ?AT SIGN1 ! CROSS4 ,:5 HIS >MIES W]E VICTORI\S HE CONV]T$ TO ,*RI/IANITY & DECL>$ IT A LEGAL RELIGION 9 ,ROME1 GIV+ IT ! LEGITIMACY & BOO/ IT NE$$ TO RISE TO P[] & BECOME ! AG5T ( DE/RUCTION ?AT IT DID4 ,BE=E ?IS1 ,*RI/IANITY WAS A SMALL UNPOPUL> CULT4 ,?IS MOVE TO MAKE IT LEGALLY ACCEPT$ NOT ONLY SPELL$ DISA/] = ! WORLD & ITS FUTURE1 BUT ALSO EV5 = ,ROME ITSELF4 

,! L>GE/ WAY 9 :I* ,*RI/IANITY AID$ ,ROME'S D[NFALL WAS ! ROLE IT PLAY$ 9 ! BUREAUCRATIC SPLIT BETWE5 ,EA/ & ,WE/ ,ROME4 ,P>T ( ! REASON ,CON/ANT9E MOV$ ! CAPITAL TO ,CON/ANT9OPLE WAS BECAUSE ,ROME WAS /ILL MO/LY ,PAGAN & NOT ,*RI/IAN4 ,! DIVISION 9TO TWO EMPIRES1 REALLY UND]TAK5 BY ,DIOCLESIAN1 WAS AN ATTEMPT TO /OP ! DECL9E ( ! EMPIRE4 ,! SPLIT QUICK5$ ! COLLAPSE BECAUSE IT CREAT$ A L>GE NUMB] ( ADDITIONAL GOV]NM5T (FICIALS & BUREAUCRACIES4 ,!SE ADD$ TO ! HEAVY 9FLATION WEI<+ ON ! EMPIRE4 ,?IS WAS POSSIBLY ! ONLY TIME ,*RI/IAN MISSION>IES & ZEALOTS HURT CIVILIZATION 9/EAD ( EXP&+ IT4 

,IT WASN'T LONG UNTIL ,*RI/IANITY PRODUC$ ! FIR/ ASCETIC MONKS1 :I* %\LD BE NO SURPRISE S9CE 9 ?IS NEW RELIGION SUFF]+ WAS A M>K ( HOL9ESS4 ,!Y PRACTIC$ SELF-DEPRIVATION & A RIGID R5UNCIATION ( DESIRE4 ,IT EFFECTIVELY TAM$ DESIRE & 9/9CT4 ,*RI/IANITY DIRECTLY EMBODI$ ! VALUES ( CIVILIZATION4 ,CON/ANT9E LAT] US$ ,*RI/IANITY TO UNIFY ! EMPIRE BECAUSE IT PREA*$ ! VALUES ?AT CIVILIZATION IS BAS$ ON3 OB$I5CE1 DISCIPL9E1 & MONO!ISM4 ,CON/ANT9E RUL$ ) ABSOLUTE P[] & SAW HIMSELF AS ! ?IRTE5? APO/LE4 ,SOON !RE W]E OV] SIXTY DECREES \TLAW+ O!R RELIGIONS & ,*RI/IANITY TOOK NO TIME DEVELOP+ ITS OPPRESSIVE PATT]NS = YE>S TO COME4 

,! ,WE/]N ,ROMAN ,EMPIRE C5T]$ AT ! ORIG9AL CAPITAL AT ,ROME FELL FIR/ 9 #dgf ,A,D1 FOLL[$ A FEW C5TURIES LAT] BY ! ,ROME ( ! ,EA/1 :I* DEG5]AT$ & !N ROSE AGA9 AS P>T ( ! ,BYZANT9E ,EMPIRE4 

,:ILE /&S ! 

,COLISEUM1 

,ROME %ALL /&2 

,:5 FALLS ! 

,COLISEUM1 

,ROME %ALL FALL2 

,& :5 ,ROME FALLS 

- ! ,WORLD4 

- ,LORD ,BYRON 

,) !IR WORLD COLLAPS+ 9TO *AOS1 ! ,ROMAN'S ?IR/ = MACABRE DI/RACTION GREW4 ,ROME CELEBRAT$ ITS ANNIV]S>Y & ITS VICTORY OV] ,ROMANIA 9 ! MO/ FITT+ WAY1 ) #aag CONT9U\S BLOODY DAYS ( ONGO+ GLADIATORIAL GAMES 9 ! ,COLISEUM 9 :I* #i1 GLADIATORS DI$ & C\NTLESS MORE ANIMALS W]E SLAU<T]$1 :ILE B>B>IANS HAMM]$ AT ! WALLS & REBELLION BROKE \T 9 ! PROV9CES4 ,9 FACT1 DI/RACTION WAS A KEY FEATURE ( ,ROME4 ,9T5T TO DI/RACT !MSELVES1 MO/ ,ROMANS 0DID NOT NOTICE ! SOCIAL FABRIC %R$D+ >\ND !M04 ,! ,ROMAN RUL]S LE>N$ E>LY ON ! VALUE ( APPEASEM5T 9 CONTROLL+ ! PEOPLE1 & 9 KEEP+ !M DI/RACT$4 ,ROME'S MO/ EFFECTIVE MEANS ( DO+ ?IS WAS 0,BREAD & ,CIRCUSES04 ,! 0,BREAD & ,CIRCUSES0 WAS ! GOV]NM5T GIV+ ! PEOPLE :AT !Y WANT$1 TO KEEP !M HAPPY4 ,! ,ROMAN GOV]NM5T GAVE \T FOOD TO ! POOR TO KEEP !M CONT5T1 A DAILY RATION ( FOOD & SMALL SUM ( MONEY1 & PROVID$ LAVI% 5T]TA9M5T TO DIV]T !IR ATT5TION4 

,! GREAT GLADIATORIAL GAMES ( ,ROME W]E P>T ( ,ROME'S ME?ODS ( DI/RACT+ & CONTROLL+ ! PEOPLE4 ,EV5 ! POORE/ PEOPLE C\LD AT LEA/ LOOK D[N ON ?OSE PUNI%$ 9 ! ,COLISEUM4 ,!SE GAMES & COMPETITIONS S]V$ ! PURPOSE ?AT ,T4,V4 DOES N[4 ,MO/ EMP]ORS SP5T HUGE SUMS ( PUBLIC MONEY KEEP+ ! PEOPLE AMUS$4 ,! ,COLISEUM ITSELF WAS BUILT AS A GIFT TO ! PEOPLE1 & ADMITTANCE WAS FREE4 ,IT WAS AN ATTEMPT TO BUY (F ! PEOPLE4 ,! EV5TS W]E ULTRA SPECTACLES4 ,! GLADIATORS1 FROM ! WORD GLADUS = SWORD1 W5T TO GREAT L5G?S TO KEEP ! CR[D 5T]TA9$ & DI/RACT$4 ,:5 ! GLADIATORS F\<T !Y MADE IT AS DRAMATIC AS !Y C\LD TO 9CREASE ! SPECTACLE1 MAK+ L>GE SW+S ) !IR WEAPONS :5 !Y W]5'T NECESS>Y4 

,IT IS EASY TO SEE H[ IMPORTANT ! GAMES W]E TO ! RUL]S2 !RE WAS AN AMPHI!AT] 9 EV]Y ,ROMAN T[N4 ,9 FACT1 AN AMPHI!AT] WAS SE5 AS ESS5TIAL TO EV]Y ROMAN CITY1 ALONG ) A M>KET PLACE1 !AT]1 & C\R?\SE4 ,! WORD COLISEUM ITSELF COMES FROM ! WORD ,COLOSSUS4 ,! FAM\S >5A WAS ACTUALLY NAM$ ! ,COLISEUM DUR+ ! ,MIDDLE ,AGES1 AFT] ! COLOSSAL /ATUE ( ,N]O ?AT /OOD BESIDE IT4 ,BUT ITS REAL NAME AT ! TIME ( ITS USE WAS ! ,FLAVIAN ,AMPHI!AT]4 

,! ,COLISEUM HELD #f1 SPECTATORS1 MORE ?AN MO/ ( ! MOD]N /ADIUMS4 ,! AMPHI!AT] 9 ! CITY ( ,POMPEII HELD #e TIMES MORE PEOPLE ?AN ITS TOTAL POPULATION4 ,BUT ! IMM5SE POPUL>ITY ( ?IS =M ( DI/RACTION IS BE/ EXEMPLIFI$ BY ! SIZE ( ! ,CIRCUS ,MAXIMUS4 ,! ,CIRCUS ,MAXIMUS WAS ! CIRCUL> RAC+ >5A1 ALSO 9 ! CITY ( ,ROME1 :]E ! *>IOT RACES TOOK PLACE4 ,IT HELD #b1 SPECTATORS6 

,ANIMALS W]E US$ EXT5SIVELY 9 ! ,COLISEUM GAMES4 ,! ANIMALS W]E !RE TO WOND] AT1 TO FE>1 TO DOM9ATE1 & TO DIE4 ,!Y W]E WILD1 CAPTIVAT+ SPECTACLES FROM BEYOND ! ORD] ( CIVILIZATION1 CAPTUR$ AT CIVILIZATION'S $GES4 ,! FRONTI]S HAD BE5 PU%$ \T SO F> ?AT !RE WAS LITTLE EXPOSURE TO ! O!R1 ! SAVAGE = ! AV]AGE ,ROMAN4 ,SO :5 EXOTIC ANIMALS W]E BR\<T BACK FROM ,ROME'S DI/ANT CAMPAIGNS1 IT (F]$ A UNIQUE *ANCE TO BEHOLD ?AT NOVELTY4 ,IT SEEMS ?AT ! ANIMALS REPRES5T$ WILDNESS AS A :OLE4 ,SC5]Y 9 ! ,COLISEUM W\LD BE *ANG$ TO REPLICATE ! WORLD ?AT ! BEA/ WAS FROM TO RE5ACT ! HUNT4 ,?IS WAS DONE TO RECREATE ! PROCESS ( CONQU]+ ! WILD1 ! RITUAL ( CIVILIZATION4 

,! CR[DS HAD SU* AN APPETITE = EXOTIC ANIMALS ?AT MANY ( ! ANIMALS US$ = COLISEUM GAMES W]E HUNT$ TO EXT9CTION4 ,A :OLE SPECIES ( ,AFRICAN ELEPHANT WAS AMONG MANY O!RS US$ 9 ! GAMES ?AT W]E MADE EXT9CT4 ,9 A HUMOR\S LETT]1 ,CIC]O DISCUSSES ! %ORTAGE ( WILD ANIMALS TO BE CAPTUR$ 9 ! PROV9CE ( :I* HE WAS PROV9CIAL GOV]NOR3 0!RE IS A REM>KABLE %ORTAGE ( ! ANIMALS1 & ONLY A FEW ( '?OSE PAN!RS' REMA904 ,! /5* ( DEA? AT ! COLISEUM BECAME SO OV]:ELM+ ?AT !Y TRI$ TO COV] IT UP ) A SY/EM ( SPR9KL]S SPRAY+ P]FUME ?R\<\T ! /ADIUM4 ,I AM REM9D$ ( ALL ! MYRIAD WAYS 9 :I* ! /5* ( DEA? ?AT CIVILIZATION C>RIES ) IT >E COV]$ OV]1 OR IGNOR$4 

,AN 9T]E/+ ANALOGY BETWE5 ,ROMAN CULTURE & ,AM]ICAN IS ?AT ! GLADIATORS W]E SE5 AS SPORTS H]OES >E TODAY4 ,!Y W]E ADMIR$ BY *ILDR5 & SOME SMALL TOYS ( GLADIATORS W]E F\ND4 ,MANY /ATUES ( FAM\S GLADIATORS HAD FIGURES ( WILD ANIMALS AS !IR P5IS1 MAK+ CLE> ! CONNECTION BETWE5 PATRI>*Y1 DOM9ATION1 & CONQUE/4 

,TACITUS SAID 9 ! #bND C5TURY ,A4,D41 

,ROBB]Y1 MURD]1 >E ALL DISGUIS$ UND] ! ,NAME ,EMPIRE4 

,AS ,ROME GREW1 SO TOO DID ! GAP BETWE5 RI* & POOR4 0,A CRUEL 9EQUALITY ?AT W\LD HAUNT ! EMPIRE TILL ITS V]Y 5D04 ,ROME WAS BOOM+ FROM SPOILS ( W> & NATURE4 ,IF Y\ W]E RI* 5\< TO 5JOY IT1 LIFE 9 ,ROME WAS 9DE$ LIKE ! ,ROME WE HE> (4 ,BUT = MO/1 IT WAS A LIFE ( SQUALOR4 ,CLASS L9ES W]E RIGIDLY DRAWN1 & HO/ILITY BETWE5 ! CLASSES WAS 9T5SE 4 ,!RE W]E TWO MA9 CLASSES1 ! ,PLEBIAN CLASS MADE UP MO/LY ( ,ROMAN F>M]S & ! POOR1 & ! ,PATRICIAN CLASS :O W]E ! HI<-RANK+ NOBLES4 ,ALL ! (FICIALS 9 ,ROME W]E FROM ! ,PATRICIAN CLASS4 ,! RI*E/ W]E WEAL?Y AS ! EMPIRE ITSELF1 BUT MO/ ( ! 9HABITANTS W]E PACK$ 9TO SMALL MULTI-/ORY AP>TM5TS4 ,BEH9D ! SPL5DOR ( ! ,=UM :]E ! ,S5ATE MET1 !RE W]E VA/ >EAS ( CR[D$ SLUMS4 

,! W>S ( EXPANSION HAD BR\<T WEAL? & SLAVES4 ,A HALF MILLION SLAVES W]E TAK5 FROM ! CONQUE/ ( ,C>?AGE ALONE4 #a1 SLAVES A DAY W]E BR\<T 9 ?R\< ,ROME'S MA9 PORT4 ,AT ITS PEAK #a 9 #c PEOPLE 9 ,ROME WAS A SLAVE4 ,UNTIL ! #e? C5TURY ,B4,C4 ,ROME WAS DOTT$ BY FAMILY F>MS1 BUT SMALL FAMILY F>MS W]E DRIV5 \T BY ! L>GE E/ATES ?AT />T$ DEVELOP+ & CAME TO DOM9ATE ! L&SCAPE4 ,! SMALL F>M]S C\LDN'T COMPETE ) ! L>GE E/ATES ?AT EMPLOY$ SLAVE LABOR4 ,IT WAS ALSO COMMON = SOME PEASANTS TO RETURN FROM COMPULSORY MILIT>Y S]VICE TO F9D ?AT !IR L& HAD BE5 B\<T OR /OL5 BY >I/OCRATS4 

,SOON ! PEASANTS W]E DISPLAC$ & DRIFT$ 9TO ! CITIES1 CREAT+ A NEW URBAN UND]CLASS4 ,?IS CAUS$ ! CITY ( ,ROME TO GR[ TO #g MILLION PEOPLE1 ! L>GE/ CITY 9 ,EUROPE UNTIL ! ,9DU/RIAL ,REVOLUTION4 ,NO JOBS W]E AVAILABLE BECAUSE ! HUGE SLAVE POPULATION WAS US$ TO P]=M ! NE$$ TASKS4 ,BUT ?\S&S ( HUNGRY CITIZ5S W\LD HAVE BE5 A ?REAT TO ! PEACE ( ! CITY4 ,SO ! GOV]NM5T SET UP A PROGRAM TO FE$ ! POOR CALL$ ! 0DOLE01 A DAILY RATION ( FOOD & SMALL SUM ( MONEY4 ,SOON1 HALF ! PEOPLE LIV+ 9 ! CITIES W]E GIV5 ! GRA9 DOLE4 ,ONE-F\R? ( ! GRA9 FROM ,AFRICA WAS GIV5 TO ! POOR ( ,ROME4 #g-#h.0 ( ! POPULATION RELI$ ON ONE GRA94 

,\R HI/ORY N[ PLUNGES FROM A K+DOM ( GOLD1 TO ONE ( IRON & RU/ 

- ,EUTROPIUS1 ,ROMAN HI/ORIAN1 5D ( #cRD C5TURY ,A4,D4 

,IT IS V]Y 9T]E/+ ?AT ,ROME ULTIMATELY FELL BECAUSE ( CIVILIZATION ITSELF4 ,9 FACT1 ONE ( CIVILIZATION'S MO/ BASIC T5ETS L$ TO ITS COLLAPSE4 ,! *>ACT]I/IC FEATURE ( CIVILIZATION IS DISPLACEM5T4 ,%UT \T BY ! ,*9ESE L&LORDS1 ! ,HUNS HAD NO OPTION BUT TO MOVE WE/4 ,AS !Y MOV$ !Y PU%$ ALL TRIBES 9 !IR PA? WE/ AS WELL4 ,?IS CYCLE ( DISPLACEM5T CONT9U$ & MANY GR\PS W]E PU%$ AS F> WE/ AS !Y C\LD GO & W]E PU%$ UP AGA9/ ,ROME'S EA/]N BORD]S4 ,EXP&+ CIVILIZATIONS ELSE:]E DISPLAC$ ! FAM\S B>B>IANS ?AT ATTACK$ ,ROME 9 ! LA/ FEW C5TURIES4 

,FROM #bce ,A4,D4 TO #bhe ,A4,D41 A /RONG EPIDEMIC1 DECL9+ SUPPLY ( :EAT1 & B>B>IAN 9VASIONS M>K$ ! BEG9N+ ( ! DECL9E ( ! ,ROMAN ,EMPIRE4 ,! LA/ EMP]OR1 ,ROMULUS ,AUGU/ULUS1 WAS DISPOS$ ( ! ?RONE4 ,IT IS V]Y 9T]E/+ ?AT ! FIR/ & ! LA/ ,EMP]ORS ( ,ROME W]E NAM$ ,ROMULUS4 ,! FIR/ PRESID5T ( ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES WAS NAM$ ,GEORGE1 ! CURR5T PRESID5T IS ALSO NAM$ ,GEORGE4 4 4 MI<T HE ALSO BE ! LA/8 

,! FALL ( ,ROME WAS A MAGNIFIC5T EV5T4 ,AN EV5T TO BE CELEBRAT$1 AS IT WAS ! COLLAPSE ( :AT WAS AT ! TIME ! MO/ DE/RUCTIVE1 ALI5AT+1 & BRUTAL SOCIETY4 ,ROME FELL SL[LY1 OV] A P]IOD ( C5TURIES4 ,CIVILIZATION IS COLLAPS+1 EV] DEG5]AT+4 ,SOMETIMES SL[LY1 SOMETIMES 9 FITS ( ECOLOGICAL CATA/ROPHE & SOCIAL BREAKD[N4 ,AM]ICA IS ALSO FALL+4 ,BUT ,AM]ICA IS MU* L>G] AN EMPIRE ?AN ,ROME WAS1 & ALL ITS VICES1 HABITS1 HI]>*IES1 & EXPLOITATION DW>F ,ROME 9 DE/RUCTIV5ESS4 ,ITS OBSESSIONS ) ECOLOGICAL DE/RUCTION MAKE ! MOD]N TE*NO-9DU/RIAL EMPIRE ALL ! MORE UNSU/A9ABLE4 

,! FALL ( ,ROME %\LD BE 9/RUCTIVE4 ,! CONTEMPT1 JEAL\SY1 & HATR$ FROM ITS OPPRESS$ & COLONIZ$1 ! DE/RUCTION ( ITS ECOLOGICAL BASE1 ITS OV]-EXT5D$ EMPIRE1 & TOP HEAVY BUREAUCRACY ALL L$ TO ITS FALL4 ,I PROPOSE ?AT MOD]N CIVILIZATION HAS SURPASS$ EV5 ,ROME 9 ALL !SE FACTORS4 ,! ONLY ?+ KEEP+ ?IS CORPSE PROPP$ UP IS ITS ABILITY1 SUP]IOR TO ANY V>IANT ( CIVILIZATION SO F>1 TO CONV9CE ITS SUBJECTS TO MA9TA9 FAI? 9 IT ?R\< OV] DOME/ICATION1 & ALSO TO A*IEVE MORE & MORE TE*NOLOGICAL ADVANCES ?AT KEEP ITS DECAY+ SY/EMS ALIVE4 ,TE*NOLOGICAL M$IC9E HELP$ FI<T ! PLE?ORA ( DISEASES RAVAG+ ! CITIZ5S ( 9DU/RIAL CIVILIZATION ?AT SURELY W\LD HAVE 5D$ IT & YET WILL /ILL BR+ IT TO ITS KNEES4 0,ADVANCEM5TS0 9 AGRICULTURE1 LIKE POISON+ ! L& & WAT] ) F]TILIZ]S & DOME/ICAT+ & MANIPULAT+ ! G5ES ?AT MAKE UP ! V]Y ESS5CE ( LIFE1 HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE TO FE$ OV]-POPULAT$ HUMAN CITIES ) AN UNSU/A9ABLE FOOD S\RCE ?AT IS QUICKLY FAIL+4 ,! LI/ GOES ON & ON4 ,)\T !SE TE*NO-FIXES CIVILIZATION W\LD HAVE 5D$ AS IT %\LD HAVE1 BUT NONE ( !SE IS ANY?+ BUT A QUICK FIX :OSE %ALL[ SOLUTIONS WILL FAIL & LOSE !IR GLOSSY IMAGE4 ,SO1 YES1 ?IS DEA? MA*9E ?AT IS WE/]N CIVILIZATION WILL ULTIMATELY COLLAPSE1 IT'S JU/ A MATT] ( :54 

,K+DOMS FALL1 CITIES P]I%1 

,& ( :AT ,ROME ONCE WAS 

,NO?+ REMA9S EXCEPT AN EMPTY NAME4 

,ONLY ! FAME & HONOR ( ?OSE ?+S1 

,S\<T \T 9 LE>N$ BOOKS1 

,ESCAPE ! FUN]AL PYRES4 

--,FLOR5T ,S*OONHOV5 

,:5 ,ROME COLLAPS$ IT WAS FOLL[$ BY ! ,D>K ,AGES4 ,AL?\< LABEL$ SU* BY ! PROPHETS ( ?IS CIVILIZATION = ITS BACKW>DNESS & SL[ TE*NOLOGICAL PROGRESS1 ! ,D>K ,AGES W]E A P]IOD ( A SORT ( PROTO-MOD]N CIVILIZATION1 A HORRIBLE ]A NOT ANY BETT] ?AN :AT FOLL[$ OR PREC$$ IT4 ,WILL A SIMIL> 0D>K AGES0 FOLL[ ! ,AM]ICAN ,EMPIRE'S COLLAPSE8 ,WE NE$ TO WORK H>D TO MAKE SURE ?AT :5 ,AM]ICA & ! CIVILIZATION IT LEADS DOES COLLAPSE1 WE DANCE ON ITS A%ES1 TO /OMP \T ANY & ALL TRACE ( ! T5D5CY CALL$ CIVILIZATION TO 5SURE ?AT AN ]A ( FRE$OM & H>MONY WILL FOLL[4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#i1 #bba 3 ,LESSONS FROM ! ,FALL ( ,ROME -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #g1 #bbb 3 ,LESSONS FROM ! ,FALL ( ,ROME -- ,UPDAT$4 

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