"Imagine this giant gradually getting attacked by mosquitos..." In today's episode, Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg delve into the critical moments and competing narratives of the fall of the Roman Empire. They compare the classical Greeks and Romans, identify key Roman figures and outsiders who impacted the course of history, and identify the major influences that shaped their era - and our current one.

Watch this episode accompanied by maps and illustrations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@history102-qg5oj

History 102 is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: turpentine.co

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RELATED PODCAST: If you dig History 102, we think you'll love Live Players with Samo Burja from Turpentine. Every week Samo and Erik dive into a key power player, institution, or company changing the course of history.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5fbMTkHBnom1JIBWYNVBK1

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1718925188

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RECOMMENDED BOOKS:

• The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
• The World of Late Antiquity: AD 150-750 (Library of World Civilization) by Peter Brown
• Empires and Barbarians: The Fall of Rome and the Birth of Europe by Peter Heather

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FOLLOW US ON X:

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@whatifalthist (Rudyard)

@turpentinemedia (Turpentine)

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE:

History 102 https://www.youtube.com/@history102-qg5oj

WhatifAltHist [Main] https://www.youtube.com/@WhatifAltHist

Upstream with Erik Torenberg https://www.youtube.com/@UpstreamwithErikTorenberg

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:18) Diving into the Fall of Rome

(02:39) The Rise of Rome: A Historical Context

(07:49) You Can't Beat The Romans In A Battle Of Willpower

(10:56) Classic Rome and Ancient Greece

(16:36) The Fall of Rome: Theories and Perspectives

(23:44) The Impact of the Huns on the Roman Empire

(27:51) Multiple Ways of Looking at the Fall of Rome

(38:47) The Aftermath of the Fall of Rome

(44:38) Two Historical Schools on the Fall of Rome

(46:35) Legacy and Significance of the Roman Empire

(50:33) Recommendations for Further Reading

(51:35) Wrap