1. Decline in Civic Participation: The wealthy class in Rome held significant influence and played an important role in civic affairs. Their departure resulted in a decline in civic engagement and decision-making, leaving a power vacuum that could be filled by ambitious individuals or groups.
2. Rise of Strongmen and Autocrats: The absence of a strong and active wealthy elite created opportunities for individuals with military power and political ambition to step in and fill the void. This allowed for the rise of strongmen and autocrats, such as Julius Caesar and his successors, who established personalistic rule and diminished the traditional republican institutions.
3. Economic Impact: The wealthy citizens were often patrons of the arts, education, and public works. Their departure led to a reduction in funding and support for these areas, resulting in a decline in cultural and intellectual activity and an erosion of the city's infrastructure.
4. Urban Decay: As wealthy citizens moved out of the city center to their villas in the countryside, many urban neighborhoods experienced decline and neglect. Public buildings and infrastructure fell into disrepair, and crime and poverty increased in the absence of the wealthy's influence and support for civic projects.