The Desire for Power and Conquest
Dio characterizes the ability of Rome to achieve dominance over her neighboring lands and territories as a projection of Rome's desire for power. The leaders in the senate and later the emperors recognized the weakness and division among neighboring territories and took advantage of them. They had a vision for global domination, prompting the rumor among the people that Rome was invincible. Compelled to attain more power of himself, Julius Caesar best embodies this vision of Rome. He challenged the status quo in his pursuit of power so effectively that he established the position of emperor for himself.
Disloyalty
During the Imperial Era, Rome was plagued by disloyalty among its citizens. Assassination become a common threat, leading to messy successions and even internal conflicts. Although the citizens were indoctrinated by a strict honor code which was propagated through mythology, they were not always protected by their leaders. Citizens sometimes felt compelled to take matters into their own hands, in a sort of Robin Hood attempt to be a local hero. More importantly, the rulers and members of the Senate were frequently swayed by greed, causing them to ignore the needs and desires of the people. They turned their backs on one another, leading to a great deal of internal strife within the government, which ultimately and directly contributes to the fall of Rome.
Political Intrigue
Dio is both statesman and historian, providing him with a unique perspective upon the politics of Rome, especially nearing the decades of which he was witness. He analyzes the ripple effect of politicians,' like Commodus', decisions to pursue power instead of unity. He predicts trouble for Rome in light of the chaos and internal discord of the period following A.D. 180. Although Dio was not privy to a complete history of Rome, being positioned in the midst of it, his historical background allowed him specific insight which the rest of his countrymen couldn't understand. He read the signs of corruption, recalling the assassinations under the old empire.
