Are we witnessing the downfall of America as we know it, just like the Roman Republic and Roman Empire? As someone who’s spent years digging into history’s most epic stories, I’m sounding the alarm: we’re living through both the collapse of Rome’s Republic and the chaos of its Empire—simultaneously. This isn’t just academic trivia; it’s a wake-up call for our nation’s future. Buckle up, because I’m breaking it all down in this deep dive, inspired by my X thread from June 2024.
The Roman Republic’s Collapse: A Mirror to Biden’s 2024 Exit
Let’s start with the Roman Republic, which ran from 509 BC to 31 BC—a system of checks and balances that unraveled in a power struggle eerily similar to what we’re seeing today. In my X thread, I pointed out how Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race on July 21, 2024, mirrors the Republic’s downfall. After a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27, 2024, Biden faced mounting pressure from Democrats, media, and figures like George Clooney, whose July 10, 2024, New York Times op-ed urged him to step aside. A Reuters report from December 6, 2023, even hinted at Biden’s doubts about running if Trump were the opponent, foreshadowing this strategic shift.
This isn’t just politics—it’s history repeating. In Rome, the Republic crumbled during the Roman Revolution (133–31 BC), as elites like the Gracchi brothers, Julius Caesar, and Lucius Cornelius Sulla fought for power, sidelining democratic norms. Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon in 49 BC, defying Senate authority, parallels the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, ruled a federal crime by a 2024 D.C. Circuit Court decision. Both events show how legal norms can erode under pressure from ambitious leaders and public unrest, threatening America’s Republic-like stability.
Biden’s exit, driven by party elites and media narratives, echoes Rome’s transition to one-man rule under Augustus. Kamala Harris’s swift endorsement by Biden on July 21, 2024, via X, as noted in a July 2024 CNN analysis, feels like Augustus consolidating power after Caesar’s assassination in 44 BC. The lesson? When elites prioritize power over process, democracy falters—unless we fight to protect it.
The Roman Empire’s Crisis: Inflation, Immigration, and America’s Parallel
Now, let’s shift to the Roman Empire, particularly its Crisis of the Third Century (235–284 AD), a period of near-collapse that’s hauntingly relevant today. As Wikipedia’s “Crisis of the Third Century” explains, Rome faced 15,000% inflation, breakaway territories, and an immigration crisis as barbarian tribes were integrated into the army. In my thread, I highlighted how America is grappling with similar forces: inflation spiking to 3.4% in December 2024 (per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data), border challenges, and economic instability threatening our stability.
The Empire’s fall in 476 AD, when the last Western emperor was deposed by Odoacer, wasn’t a sudden event—it was a slow unraveling of structural failures. Diocletian’s reforms in 284 AD temporarily stabilized Rome, but they couldn’t fix the root causes: economic collapse, military overreach, and cultural shifts. Today, America’s inflation, driven by post-pandemic recovery and geopolitical tensions, mirrors Rome’s currency debasement. Our border debates echo Rome’s reliance on outsiders, straining resources and unity.
This isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a warning. If we don’t address inflation, secure our borders, and maintain cultural cohesion, we risk a decline as dramatic as Rome’s. The Empire’s story urges us to act now, before our own “third century crisis” becomes irreversible.
Living Both Scenarios Simultaneously: America’s Dual Crisis
Here’s the kicker: we’re not just reliving one Roman era—we’re caught in both. The Republic’s fall warns us about elite power grabs and legal breakdowns, like the Trump verdict I mentioned in my thread, which mirrors Caesar’s rise through political chaos. The Empire’s crisis, with its economic and immigration woes, reflects America’s current struggles with inflation and border security. As I said in my X thread, “Are we living what destroyed the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire simultaneously?”
This dual crisis isn’t theoretical—it’s happening now. The January 6 riot, Biden’s 2024 withdrawal, and our economic pressures aren’t isolated events; they’re interconnected symptoms of a system under strain. History doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes, and we’re in the middle of the verse. Unless we fight for our democratic norms and structural stability, there may be nothing left.
Why Rome’s Lessons Matter for America’s Future
So, why does this matter to you? Rome’s story isn’t just ancient history—it’s a roadmap for avoiding our own downfall. The Republic’s collapse shows how elite infighting and legal erosion can destroy democracy, while the Empire’s decline highlights the dangers of unchecked economic and social pressures. For America, this means safeguarding our institutions, taming inflation, and addressing immigration with both security and humanity.
Search terms like “Roman Empire collapse,” “Roman Republic fall,” or “America’s future” will lead you to more resources, but don’t stop there. Dig into the parallels—Biden’s exit, Trump’s trials, and our inflation crisis—and demand action from your leaders. This isn’t about nostalgia for togas; it’s about preserving our nation’s future.
The Role of Elites: Clooney, Caesar, and Today’s Power Players
Let’s talk about the elites driving these shifts. George Clooney’s op-ed, leveraging his status as a Hollywood icon and Democratic fundraiser, mirrors how Roman figures like Sulla and Caesar manipulated public perception. Clooney’s July 2024 call for Biden to step aside wasn’t just celebrity activism—it was a signal from the party elite, much like Rome’s Senate orchestrating power moves during the Republic’s decline.
This isn’t new. Rome’s elites used proscriptions and triumvirates to consolidate power, sidelining the public. Today, media narratives and donor pressure shape our politics, pushing Biden out and elevating Harris. As I warned in my thread, “Please share this far and wide—understanding this is vital.” We must question who’s really in control and hold them accountable.
Practical Steps to Prevent America’s Fall
Rome’s mistakes don’t have to be ours. Here are three actions we can take, inspired by Rome’s lessons:
1. Protect Democratic Norms: Like the Republic, America must ensure laws apply equally, not as tools for political vendettas. The Trump verdict and January 6 aftermath demand we reinforce judicial independence.
2. Tackle Inflation: The Empire’s 15,000% inflation crushed its economy. Today, we need fiscal discipline and monetary policy reforms to stabilize prices, addressing the 2024 inflation spike head-on.
3. Balance Immigration and Security: Rome’s reliance on barbarians weakened its core. America’s immigration challenges require secure borders and integration policies, avoiding Rome’s overextension without cohesion.
These steps aren’t flashy, but they’re essential. Share this post far and wide—Rome’s story is our story, and we can’t afford to ignore it.
Conclusion: A Dual Warning for America
America is living through the Roman Republic’s fall and the Roman Empire’s crisis simultaneously. Biden’s 2024 withdrawal, driven by elite pressure, echoes Caesar’s rise, while our inflation and immigration woes mirror the Empire’s Third Century collapse. History doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes—and we’re in the middle of the poem.
Stay curious, stay engaged, and keep fighting for our system. Follow me, Jeremy Ryan Slate, on X (@JeremyRyanSlate)