The myth of the plague that wiped out half of Rome
In short: Historians often cite a devastating plague as the primary cause for the fall of the Roman Empire. This conversation with Anthony Kaldellis examines whether these numbers are exaggerated and what actually happened to the empire's population.
Anthony Kaldellis, an expert on the Byzantine Empire, discusses the historical narrative surrounding the Antonine Plague and other pandemics. The video explores the common misconception that a single plague event decimated half of the Roman population, looking instead at the nuanced reality of demographic shifts in late antiquity.
By analyzing the evidence from 'The New Roman Empire,' Kaldellis provides context on how historians interpret mortality rates and societal collapse. It matters because understanding these nuances helps separate sensationalized history from the complex socio-economic realities of the Roman world.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Did the plague kill half the Roman Empire? | Anthony Kaldellis and Lex Fridman
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