Il Cavaliere's Last Ride: The Many Scandals of Berlusconi (Europe‪)‬

Writing in the first and second centuries AD, the Roman senator and historian Tacitus warned that in the corruption and decadence of the ever-expanding Roman Empire already lay the foundation for its eventual demise. It would not be powerful enemy armies, Tacitus predicted, so much as extravagant banquets, eroding moral standards, and unadulterated lust for power that would lead to the downfall of one of the greatest historical empires. It is no coincidence that the story of the most extravagant banquet, overflowing with every kind of perversion and gluttony, is followed immediately in Tacitus' Annals by the story of the Great Fire that devours Rome. Today, almost 2,000 years later, it seems that another hedonistic leader on the Italian peninsula, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, may be facing the end of his own empire. Berlusconi, who has served as Prime Minister three times, is coming under fire from all sides for his blatant manipulation of the media, poor treatment of women, and lack of concern for effective governance and the rule of law. The confluence of these trends may be enough to finally end his time atop Italy's political system.