In the past, of course, empires have declined and disappeared.

Empires have declined and fallen before, to be sure, but never like this one.

As the Incan empire declined, the leaf became more widely available.

The city and empire of Benin declined after 1700.

As the central empire declined, villas became more self-sufficient and less part of a larger market economy.

And as the successors of Asoka happened to be weak, the empire inevitably declined.

The fort was abandoned as the empire declined.

From the later 3rd century on, the Western Roman Empire and its urban life declined.

As the Empire declined however, the Jews of these region found themselves under Christian rule.

As the Empire declined, the yard became neglected.