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[–] 23 points 1 year ago* (5 children)

The decline and fall of the Roman empire was something that took place over the course of centuries, involved events largely out of the control of individuals and affected very large areas and very diverse and different cultures.

I simply may not know enough about it, but I wouldn't call it "stupid". It's just not a word that I can see applying here. It wasn't a historical event, more like some kind of plate tectonics process.

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  • [–] 24 points 1 year ago (3 children)

    history happens slowly then suddenly.

    the political class of the western empire had been pulling itself apart for centuries.

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  • [–] 10 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    history happens slowly then suddenly

    With how fast we are able to communicate, I'd say it's likely to happen faster this time around. When the emperor does something that fucks over the populace, they can hear about it within minutes. During Roman times it could have taken months.

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  • [–] 6 points 1 year ago

    I agree with your conceptualization of the process, but if there was a single underlying theme of the entire process besides 'decadence', it would likely be 'stupidity'. At least on a collective scale.

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