I love a powerful opening scene in a movie. Like the one in Gladiator when Russell Crowe (General Maximus Decimus Meridius- man that’s a great name!) wins the battle against barbaric Germanic tribes. Emperor Marcus Aurelius congratulates him on a job well done then rides away on his horse to go home to die. His last words to Maximus at the battlefield are “so much for the glory of Rome”.
Many parts of Gladiator are fictional including the existence of General Maximus. Although Marcus Aurelius did exist, and I can’t help but to wonder if he somehow knew that the best days of the Roman Empire were gone as he came closer to death in 180 A.D. At its zenith Rome covered over 2 million square miles of land including most of Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa. This currently includes part or all of 43 countries. It was also an urban engineering marvel. Many of their advancements in aqueducts, bridges and roads were technological breakthroughs in the history of human civilization. During this time the Roman road system spanned the length of driving from New York City to Los Angeles back and forth 10 times.
So what the heck happened?
As it grew in size Rome became increasingly dependent on Foederati. These were tribal allies living in surrounding areas paid to fight as soldiers in the Roman army. As government money ran dry they were compensated with pieces of land. Then, Flavius Orestes, the Emperor’s #2 guy, backed out of a deal with Germanic tribal leader Odoacer to give his foederati a third of the Italian peninsula. Odoacer and his group of 30,000 soldiers revolted and in 476 A.D. made himself Italy’s first non-Roman ruler.
It was a gradual economic collapse that destroyed ancient Rome. Over-consumption without production led to higher taxes and life became increasingly difficult. As a result more and more withdrew from cities to tend to subsistence farms thereby ceasing technological innovations. The middle class (the most productive citizens in Rome at that time) was eventually eliminated because of the higher tax burden. Because of poor conditions many Romans actually welcomed Odoacer and his barbarians to take over a failing society.
Lesson learned: continual production through innovation ensures a strong economy. America needs to sescure its foothold on the science and technology sectors to guarantee a prosperous future (and so I can have a car-suitcase like the Jetsons!) However according to the Program for International Student Assessment, the US continues to score below average. American students from 166 high schools (both public and private) were randomly chosen to participate in this study. In science they ranked #24 and in math #32, far behind China, Korea and Finland. These results aren’t very promising for our economy. Then again, no one can predict this particularly uncertain future. The global market continues to fluctuate too much.
I wonder what Marcus Aurelius would say?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Interesting post, I agree that a society that has lost it’s ability to produce and over-consumes is destined to fall. I believe that Math and science, while they can play a part in production, must be accompanied by innovation and independent learning. A lot of folks don’t want to learn continually.
Keep up the good work Joe. I totally agree with the analysis regarding no production and over consumption. If we continue at this pace as a society we are destined to fall. Education is key!
Rhyme and learn is the shiznit. Keep up the good work.
Marcus Aurelius might say, “So much for the glory of car-suitcases.” Then again, he might just say that America’s schools need to teach kids how to think, not what to think. Re-emphasizing innovation in the educational equation is indeed part of the key to resuscitating our schools and, in turn, our country as a whole. Of course, America’s attempt to be a modern-day Roman empire might not be such a noble pursuit in the first place. Any way you look at it, keep an eye out for those Finns.
i think he would say, “go green! “
Good job Joe. Definitely onboard with what you have to offer!