A new Rome? A new Athens?
Try old Rome, old Athens, old Moscow, and yes, old Berlin.
We are in fact a failing empire, and as most failing empires do, we are gravitating around centers of oligarchic wealth and influence. A few super rich men think they are the embodiment of the Constitution, and so lead America in the hideous march to the final stage, income inequality so devastating that no one cares, no one is willing to fight for democracy. 
Then the barbarians are through the gates, and the center falls.
The barbarians, in case it isn't clear, are the global international oligarchs, who are in fact already inside the gates, buying off the politicians and the systems and the land. Empires get led by incompetent greedy jerks, like Trump, or the later Roman Emperors.
I will continue voting for Bernie and other democratic socialists, but have little hope Americans can fight the addiction to hate and power that has this country in its grip. 
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon