While harder to define, it seems like as time goes on the Roman state apparatus becomes overtaken with people who are more likely to look out for their immediat

While harder to define, it seems like as time goes on the Roman state apparatus becomes overtaken with people who are more likely to look out for their immediate benefit as opposed to act altruistically for Rome or their immediate community members. My interpretation of this was the selfless people all died in battle, alternatively it could be the slow buildup of not only the individual but the societal effects of lead poisoning.