The Fall of Rome Podcast

5: Just How Screwed Up Was the Later Roman Empire?

42 snips
Sep 15, 2016
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INSIGHT

Pax Romana's Stability and Cohesion

  • The Roman Empire at its height was a cosmopolitan, relatively peaceful, and economically thriving state.
  • It maintained cohesion through an ideology of consensus centered on the emperor's role and local elite cooperation.
INSIGHT

3rd Century Crisis Explained

  • The 3rd century was a crisis marked by political instability, plagues, and financial problems.
  • These internal issues allowed barbarian groups to grow stronger due to neglect of Roman borders.
INSIGHT

Rise of Bureaucracy and Authoritarianism

  • The later Roman Empire saw a massive growth in bureaucracy and a shift towards authoritarian governance.
  • Emperor's authority became more enforced rather than consensual, reflecting elite disengagement.
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