"Are we like late Rome, infatuated with past glories, ruled by a complacent, greedy elite, and hopelessly powerless to respond to changing conditions?"

Camille Paglia’s words present a provocative analogy between the modern era and the waning days of the Roman Empire. She suggests that there is a persistent cultural anxiety: are we living in a period marked by nostalgia for former greatness, governed by a narrow, self-serving upper class that is either unwilling or unable to address the demands of a rapidly evolving world?

The reference to “late Rome” is evocative. Historically, the fall of the Roman Empire is often associated with decadence, decline in civic virtue, economic instability, and leadership disconnected from the broader needs of the populace. By drawing this parallel, Paglia is not simply posing a rhetorical question, but inviting readers to reflect critically on the state of contemporary society. The emphasis on being “infatuated with past glories” points to a collective tendency to idolize historical achievements or periods of prosperity, using them as reference points to shape identity or justify current policies. Such nostalgia can breed complacency, create unrealistic expectations, and impede meaningful progress, especially when society fails to recognize that past solutions may not fit new problems.

Her mention of a “complacent, greedy elite” highlights anxieties about social stratification and the growing gap between those with power and privilege and the rest of the populace. When those at the top focus on their own interests and resist change, it can stymie reform and creative responses to crises. Paglia’s description of being “hopelessly powerless" illuminates feelings of alienation and frustration that characterize periods of social or political paralysis. The question underscores the dangers of societies that look backward and focus on self-preservation rather than adaptation. It serves as a warning that neglecting innovation and inclusivity in the face of new challenges may precipitate decline, a challenge not unique to Rome, but one that any civilization must confront with urgency and self-awareness.