When was Rome doomed?

[Subotan]

India only achieved full unity in 1947:

Wrong. The Indian Sub-Continent is still divided into India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma. The idea of "India" has changed over the last 60 years, with it previously referring to the whole of the sub-continent, to the now predominantly Hindu citizens of "Republic of India". Likewise, Pakistan is a totally artificial construct created by the British (Sorry: We screwed up yet another place in the world) that is made up of Indians who happen to be Muslims, whilst totally ignoring the many many cultural, linguistic, religious and ethnic differences between the various peoples.

Surely all empires are destined to "go South". Name a single empire that has stood the test of time. Where is the British Empire now? Spanish? Mongol? Roman? Byzantine? Ottoman? All empires are destined to fall eventually.

I'd consider the Catholic Church an Empire. It has a lot of power and influence, it's very rich, and the decisions that the Pope makes can affect the whole world.

You misunderstand, Rome as a nation, Republic or Empire, was doomed from the time of Marius.

The Principate never became a true monarchy and Rome never developed beyond a city state. Instead the Empire effectively became one man's private holdings and the army his personal mercenaries. Once that happened it was going to go south sooner or later.

I would agree with that (Apart from the Rome being a city state bit). However, a modern, western democracy would have been very hard to maintain in antiquity, and there is also the issue of slave labour.

Japan.

M-M-M-MONSTER KILLL!!!
Culturally and politically, Japan as an entity has remained separate and independent. Yes, it's had it's strife and chaos (Boshin Wars, Post WWII).
But where we to talk about Empires that are still powerful today, and always have been throughout their existence...I don't know. The USA might take a turn for the worst now, and I suppose you could consider the EU...

Heh, hardly. I just have a thing for that little archipelago and the wacky people inhabiting it.

Ah yes. I have recently been very interested in the Japanese culture. Thanks for helping me out with this stuff.

Me too! I'm going to apply for the Jet Programme after University, where I'm either going to do PPE, or International Relations and Japanese (Sorry, no history folks). I'm currently learnijng Katakana, and I've memorised all the "a"s and the "i"s