Breaking History: Episode Summary Title: How Republics Unravel: From Rome to…America?
Host: Eli Lake, The Free Press
Release Date: January 14, 2025

Introduction

In the January 14, 2025 episode of Breaking History, hosted by Eli Lake from The Free Press, the discussion centers on the fragility of republics and the factors that lead to their unraveling. Drawing parallels between the decline of the Roman Republic and contemporary American politics, the episode delves into how political norms and escalating conflicts can threaten the very foundations of a democratic system.

The Assault on Donald Trump and Political Polarization

The episode opens with a recounting of a near-assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Eli Lake details the incident where Ryan Routh, armed with an assault rifle, was apprehended while attempting to murder Trump on a golf course in southern Florida. This event marks the second such attempt within two months, highlighting the intense animosity Trump faces:

• Eli Lake [00:05]: "Investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump."

Trump's contentious relationship with his opponents has significantly altered the landscape of American politics. Lake emphasizes the shift from adoring crowds in 2016 chanting "lock her up" to aggressive opposition, including chants against Trump at Democratic rallies. This polarization strains the republic's foundations akin to historical precedents:

• Donald Trump [00:59]: "He referred to my hands. If they're small, something else must be small. I guarantee you there's no problem."
• Donald Trump [01:12]: "I got almost 75 million votes, the most votes any sitting president has ever got."

Historical Parallel: The Roman Republic and Tiberius Gracchus

The episode transitions to a historical analysis with insights from historians Adrian Goldsworthy and Victor Davis Hanson. The focus shifts to Tiberius Gracchus, a pivotal figure in the decline of the Roman Republic. Eli Lake draws parallels between Gracchus and Trump, portraying both as populist leaders who challenged established elites and political norms:

• Adrian Goldsworthy [03:38]: "Once you break those conventions, it's just, it's very, very hard to go back."

Tiberius Gracchus, much like Trump, emerged as a representative of the common man against the entrenched elite. His attempts to implement land reforms disrupted the status quo, leading to escalating tensions and ultimately violence that contributed to the fall of the Roman Republic.

Escalation of Political Violence

Eli Lake elucidates how Tiberius Gracchus's actions led to a breakdown of political norms, resulting in the first instances of political violence in Rome. The senator Nasica's response to Gracchus's reforms mirrors modern political attempts to undermine democratic processes:

• Victor Davis Hanson [07:06]: "They were trying to create a movement of lower middle class people to gain more economic clout, more political clout, and which invariably would challenge the sobriety of the Senate or the existing mechanisms."

The historian explains that such escalations create a "doom loop," where each side continuously violates norms, leading to further instability:

• Victor Davis Hanson [07:14]: "To restore deterrence, they have to stop that. But if they were to stop it using the same mechanisms, then you go into a death, a doom loop..."

The Breaking Point: January 6th and Its Aftermath

Drawing a direct line to recent events, Lake compares the chaos of January 6th, where a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, to the violent mob actions in ancient Rome. He underscores how both incidents represent turning points where violence supplants democratic processes:

• Eli Lake [05:31]: "After Trump's speech, a mob of supporters broke into the Capitol."
• Victor Davis Hanson [16:00]: "Sort of like $9 trillion in market capitalization that came into Silicon valley the last 30 years... created this tension that we see in the United States, and it's very similar to Rome."

The Fragility of Republics and the Role of Norms

The core message revolves around the idea that republics are inherently fragile and rely heavily on both written laws and unwritten political norms to function effectively. When these norms are breached, it sets a precedent for further violations, leading to erosion of democratic institutions:

• Eli Lake [33:24]: "So what does this teach us about today? The lesson of Tiberius Gracchus is that republics are fragile."
• Frank Church (Referenced): "Crisis makes, attempting to ignore the wise restraints that make men free in Rome."

Conclusion: Lessons for the Modern Republic

In concluding the episode, Eli Lake warns of the potential trajectory of the American Republic if current political tensions continue unchecked. By failing to uphold political norms and allowing escalations to persist, the United States risks undergoing a decline similar to that of ancient Rome, where the Republic eventually gave way to imperial rule:

• Eli Lake [36:06]: "Consider this a warning... The Romans went from the rule of law to the rule of the emperor in a century."

Lake emphasizes the importance of maintaining both legal structures and the unwritten traditions that safeguard a republic, urging listeners to heed historical lessons to prevent the repetition of Rome's downfall.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump [00:59]: "He referred to my hands. If they're small, something else must be small. I guarantee you there's no problem."
• Victor Davis Hanson [07:06]: "They were trying to create a movement of lower middle class people to gain more economic clout, more political clout..."
• Eli Lake [33:24]: "The lesson of Tiberius Gracchus is that republics are fragile."
• Victor Davis Hanson [32:11]: "In both cases, in the Trump case, and in both cases, the establishment felt that these populist or revolutionary figures had agendas that transcended the usual political parameters."

This episode of Breaking History serves as a cautionary tale, urging vigilance in preserving democratic norms and addressing political polarization to ensure the longevity and stability of the American Republic.