What Finally Destroyed 'The Roman Empire'? | The Ancients

Exploring the origins of the fall of Rome, ancient history expert Dr David Gwynn uncovers the 4th-century transformation of the Roman Empire under emperors like Diocletian and Constantine. This episode delves into a period often overlooked, examining how the empire consolidated after the tumultuous 3rd Century Crisis and asking whether this seemingly stronger structure held the seeds of the eventual fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century.

Dr Gwynn of Royal Holloway University of London discusses the impact of administrative reforms, the rise of Christianity (including the Arian controversy and the actions of powerful bishops), the evolution of the Late Roman Army, and the perennial issues of economic fragility and the threat posed by the Sasanian Persian Empire. We challenge Edward Gibbon's famous narrative of "decline and fall," arguing the collapse was far from inevitable and depended on later Roman mismanagement.

0:00 Introduction to the Origins of the Fall of Rome
1:01 The Long-Term View on the Fall of the Western Roman Empire
4:48 Edward Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
6:29 Analysing the Source Material for Late Antiquity History
9:42 The 3rd Century Crisis: Why Rome Didn't Collapse
11:50 Diocletian and Constantine’s Roman Empire Reorganisation
17:05 Constantine’s Christian Policy and Seeds of Decline
24:49 The Decline of the City of Rome’s Political Importance
27:01 The Supercharged Rise of Christianity in the 4th Century
39:31 Transformation of the Late Roman Army and Military Power
54:43 Coinage, Economic Fragility and Roman Imperial Prosperity

Presented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes.

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