Rise and Fall of Significant Civilizations

How is it that nations with limited natural resources like Japan, England, Sweden,

and Germany can have progressive active cultures for more then 2,000 years, while such

mighty nations as Rome, Mesopotamia, Persia, Egypt, and India amongst others produce

active vibrant civilizations for a few centuries, and then fall never to rise again.

Historians blame the rise and fall of significant civilizations of the past on politics,

economics, morals, lawlessness, debt, environment and a host of other superficial

reasons. I see their factors and raise them civil and foreign wars, weak rulers, famine,

plagues, and poor harvests.

If a civilization has a weak ruler or a tyrannical leader, it would have a hard time

sustaining itself. The leader represents a civilization, and if he is portrayed as a dictator it

would come with certain repercussions. I believe that if your ruler was a dictator and

punished its society that would eventually lead to a civil uprising and a war to deal with

on the home front. As you know dictators aren't