Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and Their Decline by Montesquieu (Book Review)

“The Romans became the rulers of all nations, not only because of their martial art but also because of their prudence, their wisdom, their constancy, their love for glory, and the fatherland. When all these virtues disappeared under the emperors, they retained the art of war, thanks to which they controlled all the lands they conquered, despite the weakness and tyranny of their sovereigns; but when the army disintegrated, the Romans became the prey of all nations.” “An empire based on the power of arms must and must preserve it by means of arms.”