Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP) cover image

Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP)

‘And When Rome Falls, Falls the World’: The Fall of Rome and Western Esotericism

Aug 29, 2023
Exploring the impact of the fall of Rome on Western esotericism, the podcast discusses the competing narratives of progress and decline in Western culture. It examines the historical background leading to the fall, including the arrival of the Huns and the movement of Germanic tribes. The podcast also explores occultists' concerns about collapse scenarios and the intersection with decline narratives in esotericism. Additionally, it delves into the prophecy of a non-Athenian Hierophant and Augustine's arguments against polytheism influenced by the fall of Rome.
45:50

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The sack of Rome in 410 CE was interpreted by polytheists as a result of divine anger towards Christianity's impious customs, while Christians like Augustine saw it as a validation of their faith.
  • The fall of Rome became a symbol of mortal grandeur and hubris, contrasting with the true grandeur of Christianity's eternal kingdom, shaping the perception of Rome as a representation of the world's inevitable decline in the Catholic Church and Western thought.

Deep dives

The Fall of Rome as a Sign of Decline

The sack of Rome by the Goths in 410 CE was seen as a symbolic turning point for many. For polytheists, it was a sign of divine anger and a consequence of the impious customs of Christianity. On the other hand, Christians like Augustine saw it as a confirmation of Christianity's power, as Christian churches had provided refuge and were spared during the sack. Both viewpoints wove the material circumstances of the sack into larger narratives of meaning and the decline of Rome, leading to complex interactions between polytheist and Christian worldviews.

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