Fantastic podcast by history-phile Dan Carlin (also a political journalist, who does a fine job bashing both parties in reference to historical context, "Common Sense, with Dan Carlin" podcast)
You will find so much fantastic similarities to our own downward spiral, re: military, political class of protecting special interests, where near the decline, voting blocks were outright purchased, etc. He brings together several historians, records, etc.
The entire series is wonderful, and you WILL find yourself spending way too much time on them :)
http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/hh Death Throes of the Republic: The Fall of Rome
You will find so much fantastic similarities to our own downward spiral, re: military, political class of protecting special interests, where near the decline, voting blocks were outright purchased, etc. He brings together several historians, records, etc.
The entire series is wonderful, and you WILL find yourself spending way too much time on them :)