To be sure, things happen in cycles.
Just depends on whether you are one of the lucky ones ... just ask the Romans ... and those who lived in Atlantis, and all those who have suffered genocide, slavery or terrible natural disasters.
Who knows, we may even be next.
So its not like bad things have always been happening, but don't worry they are all far away, never gonna impact us. So no cause for concern.
Everything has a development trajectory. The trick is recognizing the signs, and maybe being able to do something about it.
EDIT
Some concerns belong to a period of time, and get echoed every generation ... others are ongoing ... no doubt building to a climax.