Impact Poem by Yoni Assis

The Empire rose
The Empire fell
Many men perished for the glory of state

Some were righteous
Some wicked
Most were soldiers thrown into the thicket

Patricians, plebians and freedmen dominated the scene
All desiring to be the best they could be

Monuments stand that attest to their brilliance
Arches, aquaducts and the venerated Colosseum

Writings survive from that classical period
History, prose and satire still haven’t withered

Virgil, Ovid and Tacitus still speak
If you’re willing to listen, their words are so deep

Bread, circuses and baths made the people smile
War, famine and plague made them humble

Caesar, Aurelius and Constantine won their hearts
Hannibal, Mithridates and Attila weakened their resolve

Rome was a whisper
Gone before you could catch it
Not till the Renaissance to be rediscovered

History is important
Lest you think differently

Learn from it
My ultimate plea