Final answer:
The question delves into historical narratives surrounding the rise and fall of ancient civilizations, focusing on how their approaches to integration and inclusivity affected their longevity and power. Emphasis is placed on Rome's success in contrast to the fall of others who lacked such inclusivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question reflects on historical consequences faced by empires that neglected integration and inclusivity, with emphasis on ancient civilizations such as Sparta, Athens, and Rome. After the Milesians deserted the speaker's group, they potentially lost not only lovers (788 could refer to a specific event or be a typographical error) but likely faced decline in power, unity, and prosperity. In ancient Rome, as Tacitus suggests, inclusivity was a strength, as Romulus integrated conquered nations as fellow citizens, and this practice contributed to Rome's longevity and success. Moreover, the openness towards equating previously enslaved individuals with public offices shows progressive Roman policies that countered elitist conventionality. Nevertheless, wars and internal moral decay as narrated by Polybius, or external conquests and population decimation by invaders as accounted by various historical sources, marked the downfall of many civilizations. The integration and acceptance of different cultures and practices were, as seen from Rome's example, more fruitful in maintaining peace and prosperity.