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Kyle Harper

Professor and provost emeritus at the University of Oklahoma. Author of 'The Fate of Rome', 'Plagues Upon the Earth', 'Slavery in the Late Roman World', and the upcoming 'The Last Animal'.

Top 5 podcasts with Kyle Harper

Ranked by the Snipd community
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485 snips
Apr 24, 2025 • 1h 23min

Why Rome Actually Fell: Plagues, Slavery, & Ice Age — Kyle Harper

Kyle Harper, professor and author, explores the downfall of Rome caused by devastating plagues and volcanic eruptions leading to famine. He discusses the brutal reliance on slavery within the Roman economy and how it shaped societal hierarchies. Harper notes the vulnerability of humans to diseases compared to other animals and shares insights on how agriculture influenced our physical development. The conversation wraps up with reflections on the historical impact of mobility, nutrition, and the interplay of disease in human advancement.
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56 snips
Aug 4, 2022 • 53min

217. Plague and the decline of the Roman Empire

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.
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33 snips
Feb 3, 2022 • 42min

146. Disease vs. the rise of civilisation

In this discussion, guest Kyle Harper, a Professor of Classics and disease historian, explores how humanity’s relationship with infectious diseases has evolved. He reveals that for most generations, death from disease was expected, but technological advancements and globalization shifted this norm. Harper delves into the demographic dynamics of pre-modern cities, the historical impact of the Black Death, and the transition from infectious to chronic illnesses. He also highlights how these changes have shaped societal structures and urban health over time.
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21 snips
Feb 4, 2022 • 42min

147. Disease, the New World and modern pandemics

Professor Kyle Harper, an expert on the history of disease from the University of Oklahoma, joins for a deep dive into the catastrophic effects of disease during colonial expansion. He discusses how the Columbian Exchange led to the demographic collapse of indigenous populations due to diseases like smallpox. Harper also examines the influence of illness on European colonization efforts and the evolution of public health responses, drawing parallels between past pandemics and today's global health crises.
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Apr 3, 2018 • 38min

31: Interview: Historian Kyle Harper on Disease, Climate and the Fall of the Roman Empire

Kyle Harper, Professor of Classics at the University of Oklahoma, discusses the impact of climate change and disease on the fall of the Roman Empire. Topics include the decline in trade and resources, the role of paleoclimatic and genomic evidence, the relationship between waves of plague and archaeological genome data, and the vulnerability of the empire's trade system.