ok, to really flesh it out for you then -- this is a desperate letter by the representatives of roman citizens in britain to Aetius, consul, to send help or do something since barbarians, crop failures, raids etc. it certainly gives the impression of people witnessing and being subject to the collapse of the civic society. if you want more than an anecdote read the whole account of roman collapse in britain by gildas, a contemporary. its pretty desperate in tone and attitude.