cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/29404994
this post was submitted on 11 May 2025
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Can someone link citation(s) to verify this for Roman history?
Depends on which one you're asking about. They're all true, to varying degrees.
Recurring plagues had significant effect from the late 2nd century AD onwards on the manpower and economy of the Empire. Military leadership is probably the weakest argument - I'd agree that it was a problem, but not really core. Christianity caused the Empire to alienate large groups of much-needed support, and offered massive tax breaks, monetary subsidies, and manpower losses to Christian clergy and ascetics - not to mention the persecution of 'heretical' Christians by government authority.
Civil wars were a constant feature from the early-mid 3rd century AD onwards. Decisions to benefit the rich intensified from the 3rd century AD onwards, gradually reducing both urban workers and rural peasants to a position not much better than slaves, both in terms of living standards and rights. Ironically, this also caused a decline in the living standards of the ultra-wealthy, though they had more power than ever with which to cudgel their 'lessers'.
Ooh tell me more about how the rich shot themselves in the foot, I love these stories
I don't like the part where only their last generation gets axed while the peasants suffer through the whole thing.