A Brief Comparative Analysis -

The Decline and Fall Of The Roman Empire

and

The United States Of America

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Why do great kingdoms weaken and fall from within? 

Does America have an identity crisis?

How does confusion lead to disruption? 

What examples from Roman history can be applied to modern-day social science?

The Fall of the Roman Empire In Comparison To The United States

In late 1985, editors at The Lampholder discovered an interesting comparative analysis

of the Roman Empire in contrast to The United States of America,

some of the conclusions are found here.

(a brief synopsis/comparative, and perhaps, prophetic forewarning!) 

Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation;

and a house divided against a house falleth."

Luke 11:17

Divide and Conquer

     At one time, the vast Roman Empire encompassed nearly all of the Mediterranean world.  The

land of Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Turkey, Spain, France, Belgium, Portugal, the British Isles,

the Netherlands, Germany, and the Balkan states were all a part of the "Great Empire."  

In A.D. 120, the Roman Empire consisted of approximately 54 provinces.

The Roman Empire spread across the ancient territorial landscape of history mostly because of

three important areas which determined its subsequent growth and expansion.    

In the beginning, and subsequent growth, the Roman Empire's greatest strengths were:

(1)  Roman Law, strength of the Roman Government, military supremacy;

(2) a well-structured/designed system of roads leading into and out of the main province; and

(3) a well-established educational system. 

"Whither shall we sail?" a Vandal shipman asked his commander. 

"To the dwellings of men with whom God is angry," answered he.

A Gradual Demise

     How could a vast Empire so intent on world domination come to an end?   Perhaps, this is the key? 

The  Roman Empire didn't end suddenly.  Multiple factors determined the gradual decline of this

once great empire.   --A series of struggles continually tested the empire's strengths and the outer

 boundaries of the kingdom were found to be weakened and vulnerable.  

Rome fell from the inside out....

     Many historians have argued the actual date associated with the fall of The Roman Empire and also the

 reasons why it came to an end.  Perhaps it was the massive immigration of  the Visigoths united with the

 Ostrogoths, or the inward invasions by the various Germanic tribes that determined the ancient

 kingdom's fate.  Obviously, a series of calculable errors aided by passivity, the lack of strong leadership as

 well as military mistakes all contributed to the kingdom's ultimate downfall.  

     The first indication of weakness came through a divided kingdom -- by  the middle of the Fifth Century,

 much of what was once known as the Western Roman Empire came under barbarian rule.  Ultimately,

the final blow to the kingdom did not come at the hands of Attila and The Huns, but by

the Vandals who simply marched upon a weakened empire to spoil its wealth and capture all of its

 treasures.   At last, what was once known as the ancient, majestic Roman Empire came to its

end around the year 476 A.D. 

The Rise and Fall Of Great Kingdoms

The "Why? and "How?" Factor

    More importantly, instead of fixating on  an actual date to the end of the great Roman Empire, it would

 be better to understand the reasons behind how such a vast, progressive worldly empire could simply be

 allowed to evaporate, it's territorial lines disappear, and it's civilization absorbed. 

The Assimilation Into What Is Now Modern Rome

The World-Wide Influence Of The Roman Empire

And The United States

Possible Reasons For The Decline and Fall Of Rome

(1)  The diversity of its national, ethnic composition began as a strength but later aided in its failure;

the Barbarians entered into the kingdom peacefully laying the foundations for a multicultural society,

but  later turned against the Empire by capturing provinces in an attempt to segregate and establish

distinctive boundary divisions, i.e., a kingdom within a kingdom - divide and conquer - assimilate,

absorb and diffuse; (the Barbarian Odoacer was responsible for the fall of the Western Empire.)

(2) the Empire’s great size prevented its political management/oversight; Rome was eventually

divided into the Eastern territory known as the Byzantine Empire with its capital  at Constantinople

(now Istanbul) and Western Empire in central Italy. 

(3) immorality, perversion, divorce, disrespect for Roman Law -

as people rejected the greater role of government and the law infiltrating all of Roman society,

the Roman system tightened its grip on an already overburdened people by initiating

even more restrictive laws and regulations;

(4) greed/fraud, political corruption, poor leadership, extreme taxation of the people;

inflation brought economic decline and the kingdom was unable to pay its debts;

widening gap between the few rich and the increasing poor - lack of middle class;

farmers were faced with exorbitant taxation of their land and most

were forced out which brought about disruptions in food source.  As a result, Rome

established the first "welfare" system where people were both enslaved because of extreme

taxation and dependent upon the government for "the source" of their welfare;

(5) the government could not manage the increased responsibility of the kingdom's oversight;

the result:  outbreaks of disease weakened society, people expected the government to care for

them which resulted in laziness, and eventually the people just didn't care anymore and passivity

became the standard of living;

(6) the Roman army was dispatched throughout the kingdom to maintain

peace, but frequent clashes/intense warfare resulted in the depletion of military resources

and a weakened army;

(7) the rise and subsequent persecution of  Jews/Messianic believers/Christians;

(8) the rise of the Papacy, the intermarriage of state and religion;  Constantine's religious appeasement;

      In the study of  ancient history, other indications of Rome's demise were associated with end of

Emperor Romulus  Augustus rule and the blending of Christianity and Rome with the conversion of

 Constantine and the rise  of Constantinople in the 15th Century.

(9) the rise of Islam through sword, war, and conquering most of Europe until defeated at

Tours A.D. 732;

and

(10) the subsequent beginning of the Dark Ages.

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     In comparison to the United States:

The Roman Empire's Standard was an "Eagle."

The Roman government was comprised of a "Senate."

The Roman government influenced, and to some extent,

controlled (the known) world economy.

The architectural designs for Roman bridges, roads, buildings, stadiums and other

structures was greatly influenced by the Greeks and astrology.

...An interesting snapshot of history, and perhaps, a revelation and

prophetic forewarning for the future of The United States?

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A Lesson

Physical and Spiritual Warfare

- offensive, defensive, passive, and resistive -

...the Wisdom and...

"The Nature of Prophecy"

Some people wonder, ‘Why the doom and gloom of prophecy?

Why not go out and smell a  flower and enjoy the beautiful day?’

Of course, this is the nature of hope; ...and the heartfelt yearning of a better outcome!

Perhaps it is the nature of prophecy to first forewarn, because

while the flower children smell the roses, the locusts destroy the garden.

 (The Lampholder  1995)

When in battle -

Physical and Spiritual Warfare - offensive, defensive, passive, and resistive

     There are several ways to battle an enemy.  The major problem in warfare comes through identifying

 "who exactly is" the enemy.  Some enemies are obvious, while others are cleverly disguised.  Warfare

 comes in two forms:  physical and spiritual, but in both cases it is most important to act offensively rather

 than react defensively in battle.  An offensive position clearly holds the upper hand, while reacting

 defensively already proves the enemy has gained a foothold. 

     A passive role can be the most dangerous.  It is the failure to either act or react.  Passivity is not

acting at all.  It is the position of most vulnerability eventually leading to a defensive position,

and only “after” an attack.  Passivity results in worry, fear, doubt, and faithlessness, - because of the

failure to act, the passive position is weakness and in physical or spiritual warfare will result in defeat.

    The offensive role in battle is similar to resisting the enemy.  Resistance is a form of shielding

the vulnerable parts against an onslaught, while structuring an offense. In essence, it is “standing”

against the enemy; and similar to a fortress surrounding a city.  Resistance must be continual,

never tiring or weakening its wall of protection.  The enemy’s goal is to attack weakness, and it is

in the areas of most vulnerability where the enemy will strike first.    

    Sadly, the only way to strengthen both the physical and spiritual nature is through the actual

battle.  It is the act of the struggle (wrestling) whereby one learns how to fight.  It is through this

struggle in battle whereby one learns not only the strength and weakness of the enemy, but also

that of their own.  Unless one understands their strengths in battle, they will not be capable of

either resisting or conquering their enemy. 

    The heart of this short lesson is to always remember the enemy’s goal is to destroy and conquer.

Even the physically strongest have areas of weaknesses where the enemy could attack; therefore,

to be prepared is to be continually on guard, “putting on the whole armor,” to offensively act rather

than passively react in fear/weakness, and to shield through resistance.  In this case, the words

of Ephesians 6:13 can be used in both a physical and spiritual battle:  “Wherefore take unto you the

whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

     Offensive action is the strong approach.  It is the act of “standing,” and in the words of Chrysostom,

great wisdom for both a physical and spiritual battle -  

...Wherefore we must take all pains that the doctrine of Christ dwell abundantly within us.

For the preparations of the enemy's battle

are not of one form; for the war is in itself various, and waged by divers foes.

All use not the same arms, or conduct their assault on the same plan.

He, therefore, who undertakes to fight them all must understand the arts of each...

in ordinary warfare, each one opposes his adversary after that manner whereunto he hath

been trained; but in this conflict it is far otherwise; since, should he who must gain the

victory be not intimately acquainted with every separate art,

the devil well knows how to take advantage of some unguarded point,

and to introduce his despoilers to seize and tear the flock...

It behoveth us, therefore, to be prepared on every side....

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Interactive, Detailed Map of Roman Provinces

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Whatever Happened To The Majority Voice?

...Today, most people are confused as to just exactly "who" is the majority voice?