The last classical

Author: Ye Min
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: The Roman Empire in the 4th century had already reached the brink of decline. The rapid growth of Christianity led to the collapse of traditional religious beliefs, the autocratic rule of Roman emperors destroyed the tradition of democracy, and the Senate had become a world of flattery and intrigue. The Roman populace indulged in chariot races, public baths, and banquets, while the barbarian armies were stealthily advancing towards Rome. As a historian, Ammianus was one of the few who recognized the decline of the empire. He recorded the of a vast empire with clarity and a sense of melancholy. The late Roman Empire left a dark mark on Western history. If Athens left behind the tradition of democracy for future generations, then Rome undoubtedly left behind the spirit of law. When modern Western society once again raised the banners of democracy and the rule of law and moved towards new goals, the ghost of a sleeping Roman tomb was also awakened, which was the fantasy of establishing a world empire. The existence of the empire did not begin with Rome, but the existence of the Roman Empire left little room for imagination in the expansion of Western civilization. The Roman Empire, as one of the few mature, stable, and grand in ancient history, was a source of pride for the West. Yet, in an instant, it vanished into thin air. The reasons for the decline of Rome have been a topic of endless discussion among scholars. At the end of Démond's book "The Decline of Rome," the 210 reasons listed for the decline of the Roman Empire make us realize that the exploration of the decline of the Roman Empire is an endless abyss. At the same time, we deeply feel that the decline of the Roman Empire, like its rise, was inevitable. Ammianus, with the unique sensitivity of an Easterner, captured the shadow of decline. However, as a historian, his historical experience warned him to respond to this inevitability. Therefore, the thoughts we see today in Ammianus are filled with optimism about the future development of the Roman Empire and confidence in the revival of classical culture.