The fall of the Roman Empire is a large scale example of a civilization that lacks the necessities to survive. The Roman government and citizens did not focus their ideas to better the community and evidently lacked the morals and values needed to improve their society. The ongoing power struggle within the empire resulted in the death of thousands. Even the most recognized leaders such as Nero and Caligula spent more money on lavish parties than on feeding the poor and hungry. Political corruption was at its height when the Praetorian Guard shifted power between the hands of thirty-seven different emperors in 100 years, twenty-five of them being assassinated. The barbaric and dismantled country was suffering the effects of chaos.

William Golding expresses the importance of civilization to survival in his novel, Lord of the Flies. Adolescent boys are forced, by circumstance, to survive on an island without supervision...