Rome was subject to six invasions, the worst of which signaled the decline and eventual fall of the Roman Empire hundreds of years later. Are there lessons from Rome that might apply to what is happening in modern Western Europe? Here are some thoughts on historical parallels:
As ancient Rome expanded its empire, it became difficult to man its legions with Roman citizens. As a result, Roman legions incorporated people from conquered tribes and often rewarded them with important leadership positions. Modern Western Europe, with its ever-expanding welfare state and suppressed population growth, has found it difficult to man its corporations with native citizenry. As a result, many European nations, particular from Western Europe, imported a workforce from nations like Pakistan and Turkey.
When ancient Rome dominated the western world, its progressively dictatorial leadership built a welfare system to placate the average Roman citizen. Although business and trade still thrived, there were many in Rome who preferred to live under State largess where bread and circus became part of daily life. Modern Europe’s welfare state is not unlike that of ancient Rome, except what was originally intended for its legal citizenry is now becoming welfare for refugees and migrants. Significantly, the overwhelming majority of legal and illegal immigrants end up on welfare, all too often at the expense of the native citizenry.
As ancient Rome began to decline, barbarians demanded tribute in treasure and slaves. The Romans paid the tribute, but eventually the barbarians just decided to invade and sack Rome. There was no resistance, as Rome had no effective military capability with which to fight. Modern Western Europe is putting up no resistance to invasion. Their borders are porous. Their police, unsupported by the globalist political class, are swamped – and terrorist attacks are a regular feature of life. Unlike what happened in ancient Rome, the sacking of modern Western Europe is slow moving, however the result is going to be the same if nothing changes.
The aftermath of the sacking of ancient Rome was a substantial loss of native population. Ancient Rome, at one time a city of over a million people, declined to as little as a few hundred before rebuilding. Modern Western Europe is beginning to experience the flight of the native populations. Jewish citizens are once again fleeing Europe and many other native citizens are abandoning their cities and even their nations. What is left is growing enclaves of “no-go” zones where national authorities fear to go. The difficulties in recruiting and retaining police, healthcare professionals, and educators are noticeable throughout Western Europe.
Ancient Romans considered themselves civilized and those outside the limits of the Empire were referred to as barbarians. Eventually, the barbarians won because the civilized Romans were unable and unwilling to maintain civilization. A governmental policy of “Better to appease than fight” led to the end of Rome as a world power. Modern Western Europe has not learned the lesson that appeasement doesn’t work. They are facing a clash of cultures and they are losing. Is it too late to relearn the lessons of history? Rudyard Kipling, in his famous poem “The Gods of the Copybook Headings” ends with the following:
“When all men are paid for existing and no man must pay for his sins, ——————————-
The Gods of the Copybook Headings with terror and slaughter return!”