The Rest Is History

217. Plague and the decline of the Roman Empire

Aug 4, 2022

In this engaging discussion, Kyle Harper, a renowned Professor of Classics and History, sheds light on the underestimated role of pandemics in the Roman Empire's decline. He examines the Antonine Plague and its impact on life expectancy while claiming urbanization paradoxically harmed public health. Migration's role in spreading diseases like the Plague of Cyprian is also highlighted, alongside the transformative societal changes brought about by recurring epidemics. Harper's insights unravel how these health crises reshaped the empire and influenced religious thought.

52:51

Episode guests

Kyle Harper

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The Dione Evidence Can Help Us Understand The Pendemic

01:06

Pandemic - The Single Most Lethal Death Event in Human History

01:23

Is There Cause and Effect?

00:50

Rome is a Million People

02:02

Intro

4min

The Impact of Climate and Disease on Rome's Decline

27min

Migration and the Spread of Plague in the Roman Empire

4min

Unraveling the Pandemic's Spread: Historical Insight Through DNA Evidence

3min

Plague and the Fall of the Roman Empire

5min

Plague, Apocalyptic Thought, and the Rise of Islam

4min

Tom and Dominic are joined by friend of the show Kyle Harper to discuss how pandemics and disease played a far greater role in the decline of the Roman Empire than previously understood.

On the show Kyle, Dominic, and Tom discuss life expectancy, how the Roman Empire was ‘bad for people’s health', the Antonine Plague, and more.

Listen to our previous episodes with Kyle:

146. Disease vs. the rise of civilisation

147. Disease, the New World and modern pandemics

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