The crisis of the empire , which first became evident in the socio - economic sphere , soon spread to its ideology as well . The religious and philosophical systems that were prevalent among the ruling class became more and more pessimistic . Thus , the views of the Stoics underwent considerable change : When the Roman Empire was in its prime the contention of Stoicism that one must sacrifice one's self in the interests lof society helped strengthen the rule of the slave - owners . Now , with the decline...