Novara Media Downstream: What the Roman Empire Tells Us About the Collapse of the West W/ Peter Heather and John Rapley
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Nov 13, 2024 Peter Heather, a historian specializing in the fall of the Roman Empire, and John Rapley, a political economist, share insights on the collapse of Rome and its parallels to modern Western challenges. They discuss common misconceptions about Rome's fall, the role of governance over mere economic decline, and the shifting dynamics of global power, especially with the rise of China. The conversation also touches on socio-economic issues facing younger generations and the political discontent stemming from broken promises of stability.
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Peak Before Collapse
- The Roman economy peaked just before its collapse in the 4th century, contrary to popular belief.
- This discovery, based on archaeological findings, challenges previous assumptions about Roman decline.
Redefining Rome's Apogee
- The common narrative that Rome's cultural and political peak was in the 1st century AD is inaccurate.
- The empire's true apogee was later, in the 4th century, as its reach and influence expanded significantly.
Roman Identity
- Roman identity was cultural, not ethnic, based on a "civilized" and rational life.
- "Barbarians" were defined by the opposite: letting irrationality and bodily desires rule over the mind.
