Nov. 26, 2008 - What I've Learned From The Fall Of Rome
As I have been reviewing and preparing for our next history lesson I thought it very interesting that our lesson will be on the Roman Empire. There was obviously alot I forgot or chose not to remember in High School but this chapter is very interesting in how the Roman Empire came to it's end.
During the Pax Romana era, Rome enjoyed peace. They had prosperous trade, travel and communications improved and cultural activities flourished. They had prosperity. During the Pax Romana era, wealth reached it's peak.
Leaders won popular favor by promising "free" food and amusements for the Roman people. However, the Romans failed to realize that these things were not really free, the necessary funds came out of the public treasury.
Political, economic, and social crises shook the Roman empire in the third century and there were signs of internal weaknesses and decay. Rome could no longer "boast" of a strong and stable government. There was also much waste and inefficiency within it's government structure.
Rome was also starting to have economic troubles due to the public treasury being drained. So what do you think they did to try to solve the situation...ding, ding, ding, you guessed it....they increased the tax burden on the working class. The value of their coins declined and prices rose.
Rome also had a one-sided trade agreement with India and China, which depleted the gold and silver supplies. Roman money became almost worthless and the barter system replaced the use of money. Trade wasn't as prosperous any longer, business' closed and poverty increased. There was a lack of confidence in the economy.
Rome's strength in her early years were due to the virtue of it's citizens. They worked hard, were patriotic, respected authority, believed in discipline and self-denial. However, moral decay set in and contentment was replaced by greed. The Roman people looked to the government to supply their needs. Family life disintegrated, divorce and immorality flourished.
Two powerful emperors introduced strong reforms that delayed the end of the Roman empire for almost two centuries. Maximum prices were placed on goods and services. A cap so to speak. They introduced new money into the system and the tax system was reformed. However, these measures to solve Rome's worries involved greater government control and regulations and ended up adding to their problems.
Rome had external problems as well with the Germanic peoples as well as the Huns Eventually the Roman army replaced the Emperor's seat with a "non-Roman" and Rome collapsed. Rome had started to collapse from the inside before it collasped on the outside.
You could almost replace the word Rome for America and the story would still be the same. If this is the track we are on, God has used history to warn us of our future. I ask myself, what if God, through the prayers of the Saints at that time, allowed Rome to have a little extra time to do what is right, to make changes in the right direction, but they worked on the economy instead of the heart of the people. What if reform involved seeking God, bringing back discipline and respect for authority, honoring the marriage bed, working with our hands and denying self to help others. Imagine what Rome could have become.
Comments
Nov. 29, 2008 - Rome
Posted by JerseyChick
I've noticed the parallels for a long time, but haven't thought thru the "alternate ending". Thanks for an insightful post!!
Dec. 5, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Michelle122161
This is very good.
Thank you for posting.
We are reading the Usborne `Encyclopedia of the Ancient World. At present we are reading about `Egypt`, soon we'll read about `Greece`, then on to the `Roman Empire`. Sounds like we have more good reading ahead of us.
Blessings,
Michelle@JourneyHome
