An Empire Exhausted

Feb 4, 2024

Colin Elliott, a college professor and author of "Pax Romana: The Plague That Shook the Roman World," dives deep into the implications of the Antonine Plague. He discusses how this pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of the Roman Empire, detailing the intertwining crises of disease and war. Elliott draws fascinating parallels between past and present pandemics, shedding light on the social chaos that ensued and linking historical events to modern societal challenges. His insights reveal how crises can unmask underlying flaws in civilizations.

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INSIGHT

Understanding the Present

Studying the past offers a clearer understanding of the present.
It allows for objective analysis of human behavior without emotional biases.

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ANECDOTE

Antonine Plague's Impact

The Antonine Plague significantly impacted Marcus Aurelius's reign.
It's a defining event, similar to COVID or the Spanish Flu, often forgotten due to its unpleasantness.

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Exploring Historical Pandemics and Their Impact on Society

01:55 • 2min

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The Fraying Veil of Rome: The Impact of the Antonine Plague and Military Struggles

03:57 • 4min

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The Interplay of History and Modern Opportunities

08:12 • 3min

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The Plague and Betrayal: The Downfall of an Empire

Polio: An American Story by David M. Oshinsky documents the polio epidemic in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s, focusing on the scientific discoveries and public health efforts that led to the development of vaccines by Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin. The book explores the social, cultural, and political impact of the disease, including the role of the March of Dimes and the rivalry between Salk and Sabin.

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Growth Hacker Marketing

Ryan Holiday

In this book, Ryan Holiday explains how the marketing landscape has changed and introduces the concept of growth hacking. He argues that traditional marketing methods are no longer effective and presents a new approach that emphasizes achieving product-market fit, targeting specific groups, and creating viral growth through scalable and trackable methods. The book includes case studies from companies like Dropbox, Instagram, and Airbnb, highlighting how these businesses achieved massive growth without traditional marketing. Holiday stresses the importance of continuous product optimization and user feedback to drive exponential growth.

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Ego is the Enemy

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In *Ego Is the Enemy*, Ryan Holiday delves into the concept of ego and its detrimental effects on personal and professional success. The book is divided into three sections: Aspiration, Success, and Failure, each offering valuable lessons and perspectives. Holiday draws on a vast array of stories and examples from literature, philosophy, and history, featuring figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt. These individuals achieved great success by conquering their own egos, and their strategies and tactics are presented as models for readers. The book emphasizes the importance of staying grounded, continually learning, and embracing a mindset of growth rather than letting ego hinder development.

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• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Pox Romana

The Plague That Shook the Roman World

Colin Elliott

In "Pox Romana" untersucht Colin Elliott die Antoninische Pest, eine verheerende Epidemie im Römischen Reich. Das Buch beleuchtet die Auswirkungen der Krankheit auf die Gesellschaft, die Wirtschaft und das Militär. Elliott analysiert historische Quellen und präsentiert neue Erkenntnisse über den Verlauf und die Folgen der Pandemie. Er widerlegt gängige Mythen und bietet eine umfassende Darstellung der Krankheit. Das Buch ist eine wichtige Quelle für das Verständnis der Antoninischen Pest und ihrer Bedeutung für die Geschichte des Römischen Reichs.

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The obstacle is the way

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In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes. Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will. He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs. The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges. Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.

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The Great Influenza

The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History

Amelia Pérez de Villlar

John M. Barry

Amelia Pérez de Villlar

The book examines the origin, spread, and consequences of the 1918 influenza pandemic. It traces the virus to Haskell County, Kansas, and details how it spread globally through military camps and troop movements during World War I. Barry discusses the scientific efforts to identify the pathogen, the failure to develop an effective vaccine at the time, and the significant social and political factors that exacerbated the pandemic. The book also highlights the long-term impact of the pandemic, including the revolutionary scientific discoveries that followed, such as Oswald Avery's proof that DNA carries genetic information.

In today's weekend episode of the Daily Stoic Podcast, Ryan pulls an excerpt from Colin Elliott's latest book, POX ROMANA: THE PLAGUE THAT SHOOK THE ROMAN WORLD. Learn how the Antonine Plague exposed the crumbling foundations of a doomed empire. Arguing that the disease was both cause and effect of Rome’s fall, Elliott describes the plague’s “preexisting conditions” (Rome’s multiple economic, social, and environmental susceptibilities); recounts the history of the outbreak itself through the experiences of physician, victim, and political operator; and explores post pandemic crises.

If you enjoyed this chapter from POX ROMANA, grab yourself a copy by clicking here.

Be on the lookout for Ryan's interview with author Colin Elliott on February 14th or listen one week early by becoming a Wondery Plus subscriber.

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An Empire Exhausted

Understanding the Present

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Antonine Plague's Impact