[redgolum]

I won't even begin to address the argument that our heavy reliance on mechanized forces has ominous parallels with that of latter-day Rome: Rome only began to lose its' greatness when it began to rely on mounted forces, as opposed to legions.

And when the demographics started to crash, coupled with a massive influx of non Romans into the empire who would not assimilate.

[Salgak]

Indeed, someone else sees the parallels as well . . .