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Culture War Roundup for the week of February 16, 2026

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Anti-D think that decadence has specific visible markers:

Now, we can check the ur-example of decadence, the example all this debate is about, late Roman Empire how well it check these boxes.

Decline in "warrior values" or "warrior ethos"

5th century Rome was less martial than Republican Rome at its peak, but I do not see less "warrior values" than in Principate when Rome was at its greatest power. (warrior skills and ability are another matter)

Increased emphasis on physical comfort among elite-class males

Ditto. In 5th century, you do not see extravagant luxurious life of the first century.

Decreased willingness to inflict physical pain, including reduced use of harsh training and corporal punishment

If anything, the opposite. In classical Rome, corporal punishment was reserved for slaves and provincials, Roman citizens (about 10-15% of population) were extempt. In late Rome, everyone except tiny elite of "honestiores" legally belonged to the "torturable" class.

Decline in sexual morality and/or traditional gender roles

Sort of - unlike in classical Rome, late Roman women had option to leave their family authority to stay celibate and dedicate themselves to religious life. If you want to make case that nuns (tiny percentage of population) destroyed Rome, do it.

Increasing willingness of people who are not battle-tested warrior elites (including priests, merchants, politicians, women, REMFs etc.) to interfere with military decision making

Again, no evidence of it. In first century, Caligula could divert the army to build bridge over Bay of Naples. No such wild tales from the fifth century.

Left-wing politics more generally, including increased wealth redistribution. (I'm not sure what fraction of anti-Ds would include this)

"Wealth redistribution" in late Rome was from the bottom for benefit of top oligarch class. This is period when free grain supply for city of Rome stopped for good.