History is an eternal repetition. Here are quotes from those who lived through the fall of the Roman Empire.

“The Empire has become a police state, with spies and informants everywhere. People are constantly watched, and their every move is watched by the authorities.” – Synesius of Cyrene, Greek bishop of the 4th century AD. J.-C.

“The Roman Empire is ruled by a small group of elites who only care about their own interests. They have no concern for the welfare of the people, and will do anything in their power to maintain their power.”
– Salvian, 5th century Christian writer

“The Roman government has become tyrannical and oppressive. People are no longer free to speak their minds or express their opinions without fear of reprisal.”
– Ammianus Marcellinus, Roman historian of the 4th century AD. J.-C.

“The taxes levied by the Roman government are a heavy burden on the people. They cause great suffering and great difficulty, and yet the government shows no mercy.”
– Synesius of Cyrene, Greek bishop of the 4th century AD. J.-C.

“The taxes imposed by the Roman government are unfair and oppressive. People are forced to give away their hard-earned money to support the luxurious lifestyles of the elites.”
– Augustine of Hippo, Christian theologian of the 4th century AD. J.-C.

“Some people have sunk to such levels of depravity that they seek sexual pleasure with animals. This is a sign of the moral decay of our society.”
– Suetonius, Roman historian of the 2nd century AD. J.-C.

“The morals of women have become as corrupt as those of men. They indulge in all kinds of shameful behavior and no longer have any sense of decency or shame.”
– Seneca the Younger, Roman philosopher of the 1st century AD. J.-C.

“Women have become corrupt and immoral. They are no longer satisfied with fulfilling their traditional roles as wives and mothers, but rather seek power and influence in society.”
– Ammianus Marcellinus, Roman historian of the 4th century AD. J.-C.

“The men of our time have become effeminate and decadent. They are more interested in their appearance and their pleasure than in their duties and responsibilities. They have lost the spirit of self-sacrifice and service”
– Cassius Dio, 3rd century AD Roman historian

“The men of our time have become effeminate, preferring to spend their days in luxury and indulgence. They have lost the courage and strength that made our ancestors great.”
– Salvian, Christian writer of the 5th century AD.

“The sexual practices of our people have become so perverted that they are now considered normal. Men marry men and women marry women, and no one bats an eyelid.”
– Ammianus Marcellinus, Roman historian of the 4th century AD.

“In our time it is easier to break the law than to obey it, and virtue is more often punished than rewarded. We now love pleasure more than honor, and value money more than justice.”
– Jerome of Stridon, Christian scholar of the 4th century AD

“The Roman bureaucracy was like a maze, with countless layers of officials and paperwork. It was impossible to do anything without paying bribes or pulling strings.”
– Procopius, Byzantine historian (circa 500-560 AD)

“The institutions of the Roman Empire were breaking down, its armies were weakening, and its people were becoming less and less able to defend themselves.”
– Salvien, theologian and Christian writer (around 400-480 AD)

“Government was crippled by bureaucracy and people were oppressed by taxes. Roads were in bad shape and towns were in decline.”
– Cassiodorus, Roman statesman and writer (c. 485-585 AD)

“Roads are no longer safe and bridges are collapsing. Public buildings are in ruins and aqueducts are in poor condition. The public treasury is empty, and the army is ill-equipped.”
– Ammian Marcellinus, Roman historian and soldier (c. 330-395 AD)

“Courts are corrupt, tax collectors are greedy and officials are incompetent.”
– Zosimus, Greek historian, describing the administrative collapse of the late Roman Empire in the 5th century AD.