When did Rome lose its identity? When was Rome quintessentially Roman and what are some watershed moments between 753BC and 1453AD when it shed that Romanness?

For me, it was Diocletian’s reforms. From then on in, the polity resembled more of a medieval state than an ancient one.

>>511254478

"Nowadays"

Compared to the modern era, Rome appears so primitive
>constant political infighting and devastating civil wars
>autocrats who are wantonly cruel or inept
>huge wealth inequalities such that most of the population did nothing but beg and watch the chariot races all day
>economy subsistent on agriculture and slavery
>no scientific method or industry despite Greek “science”
>repeat for 1000 years