The Enduring Influence of Ancient Rome

The episode discusses the lasting impact of the Roman Empire on contemporary Western culture. Paul Kingsnorth, in his reflections on visiting the Colosseum, poses the question of why ancient Rome continues to resonate with people today. He suggests that the Roman Empire has never truly ended, as evidenced by cultural, architectural, and philosophical influences that still pervade modern society. This connection is further illustrated by the ways the United States' founding fathers drew from Roman legal and political principles, demonstrating that the values and structures of ancient Rome continue to shape contemporary governance.