Roman Empire Vs United States

As the Athenian historian Thucydides believed, specific types of events and political situations repeat themselves over time, and the Roman Empire was subject to this as well. Though differences exist, the United States is a modern representation of the Roman Empire. A key characteristic of an empire is continuous expansion, and is seen in both international powers. Reducing the power of the ordinary citizen is also a common factor in the empire and country. Despite these examples though, it may be said that the United States does not resemble the Roman Empire. However, this is disproved through features of the Roman Empire being adjusted to a modern context. This may be seen in the extension of America’s influence globally.
The United States …show more content…
However, though they are not exactly the same, key characteristics have a modern rendition upon them to conform to modern methods. One example may be seen in the loss of a middle class. During the Roman Empire, especially during the latter part of the Empire’s reign, the middle class gradually shrunk, as increasing amounts of “cheap overseas slave labor” (Strauss) took over the middle class. This is resembled in both overseas workers with less wages and rights gain American jobs, and the rising income inequality (Strauss). It is illegal to practice slavery in most modern-day nations, thus what happen in the Roman Empire is paralleled in a modern context. The same principle of modernizing characteristics can be seen in other traits, such as reducing the power of the common citizen, extension of political influence, and personal gain through politics. Therefore, it can be seen that the United States is the Roman Empire of the …show more content…
Both powers continuously expanded their empire and influence, and reduced the power of the average citizen. Though the features are not exactly the same, the United States uses a modern version of the characteristics of the Roman Empire, and thus it can be concluded that the Roman Republic is repeating itself through the United States. However, despite all these parallels between the two powers, it is not guaranteed that the United States will fall as the Roman Empire did. Many factors are to be taken into account when discussing the downfall of an international power, despite the repetition of history. If acknowledged, the United States won’t fall as the Roman Empire did, and the modern global empire will continue existing. Regardless of the similarities between the Roman Republic, and the United States, the modern-day nation will not fall, and may become a better place than the Roman Empire ever