Roman civilization, like all social organisms, came into being, moved
toward maturity, reached a plateau of fulfillment from which it
declined, broke up and eventually disappeared into the interregnum known
as the Dark Ages. The entire episode occupied a dozen centuries. Its
beginnings were unimpressively local. At the height of its wealth, power
and cultural influence it bestrode the Eurasian-African triangle. Its
decline and disappearance were no less spectacular than its meteoric
rise to fame and fortune.
I would like to summarize the Roman experiment and some of its lessons
by listing and commenting briefly on the forces that built up Roman
civilization and those forces which resulted in its decline and
dissolution.
Primary up-building forces in the Roman experiment:
1. Establishing the city of Rome as a stable, defensible center
of merchandising and commerce, transport, finance, population,
wealth and power with a hinterland of associates
and dependencies. As it turns out, the city of Rome has
outlived both the Roman Empire and Roman Civilization.
2. Steadfast dedication to Roman interests first, by all necessary
means and despite costs which at the time seemed to
be excessive.
3. A recognition of that which is possible, especially in political
relationships. The acceptance with good grace of a
half-loaf where no more was available.
4.
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