You are so right about Constantine. So much so, that he moved the capital. 1600 is the Dutch golden age. British empire might not have thrived if others didn't pave the way, like USA cannot thrive alone. I don't know about the other stuff. What i know is that empires collapse when they cannot stay on the edge by themselves and when submiting others is an unaffordable burden that cause misery inside and havoc outside. That is what Stella miss i think. USA is not a progressive power anymore...