1. Roman Britain - The Work of Giants Crumbled

A vast ruined bath house, a fire-damaged poem and a world teetering on the brink of collapse.
In this episode, we look at the collapse of Roman Britain. Find out how a great civilization grew up almost overnight on the island of Britannia, how it endured the test of centuries against barbarian invasions and foolish rulers, and what happened after its final dramatic collapse.
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Credits:
Voice Actors:
Shem Jacobs
Jacob Rollinson
Jake Barrett-Mills
Old English read by Dr. Rebecca Pinner
Music by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-fre…isrc=USUAN1100209
Artist: incompetech.com/
Title theme: Home At Last by John Bartmann is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License.
Sources:
Bédoyère, Guy de la. Roman Britain: A New History. United Kingdom, Thames and Hudson Limited, 2013.
Birley, Anthony. The People of Roman Britain. United Kingdom, University of California Press, 1980.
Dio Cassius. Roman History, Volume IX: Books 71-80. Translated by Earnest Cary, Herbert B. Foster. Loeb Classical Library 177. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1927.
Fleming, Robin. Britain After Rome: The Fall and Rise, 400-1070. United Kingdom, Allen Lane, 2010.
--------------- The Material Fall of Roman Britain, 300-525 CE. United States, University of Pennsylvania Press, Incorporated, 2021.
Harper, Kyle. The Fate of Rome: Climate, Disease, and the End of an Empire. United Kingdom, Princeton University Press, 2017.
Herodian. Herodian of Antioch's History of the Roman Empire. Trans. Edward C. Echols, 1961.
Historia Augusta, Volume I: Hadrian. Aelius. Antoninus Pius. Marcus Aurelius. L. Verus. Avidius Cassius. Commodus. Pertinax. Didius Julianus. Septimius Severus. Pescennius Niger. Clodius Albinus. Translated by David Magie. Loeb Classical Library 139. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1921.
Jackson, Ralph, and Hobbs, Richard. Roman Britain: Life at the Edge of Empire. United Kingdom, British Museum Press, 2010.
Jones, Michael E. The End of Roman Britain. Greece, Cornell University Press, 1998.
Laycock, Stuart. Britannia - The Failed State: Tribal Conflicts and the End of Roman Britain. United Kingdom, History Press, 2012.
Marcellinus, Ammianus. The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus. Trans. C. D. Yonge, 1911.
Opper, Thorsten. Hadrian: Empire and Conflict. United States, Harvard University Press, 2008.
Plutarch. Plutarch's Lives with an English Transl. by Bernadette Perrin in 11 Vol..... United Kingdom, W. Heinemann, 1954.
Procopius. History of the Wars - Volume III. N.p., CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015.
Pryor, Francis. Britain AD: a Quest for Arthur, England and the Anglo-Saxons. United Kingdom, Harper Perennial, 2005.
Russell, Miles, and Laycock, Stuart. UnRoman Britain: Exposing the Great Myth of Britannia. United Kingdom, History Press, 2011.
Salway, Peter. The Frontier People of Roman Britain. Kiribati, Cambridge University Press, 1965.
Alan Bowman and David Thomas, The Vindolanda Writing Tablets (Tabulae Vindolandenses II), London: British Museum Press, 1994.
Tibbs, Andrew. Beyond the Empire: A Guide to the Roman Remains in Scotland. United Kingdom, Robert Hale Non Fiction, 2019.

[@thomaswilkinson4674]

Christ I wish all history documentaries were formatted like this. No infuriatingly condescending exposition, no loud sound effects or nonsensical hyped-up character drama. Just an excellent voice actor reading excellently written history with a calm, ambient background. Fantastic bloody work; this is the standard for me now.

[@m.starro9015]

truly!

[@toytoy1091]

Ambient background ?? My ears must be playing me up. All I heard was endless twanging strings and piano notes played loudly ...

[@coltenharrison1213]

Would be nice. Paul Cooper is amazing historian

[@toytoy1091]

@KelliAnn Winkler My friend, don't be pedantic - i'm sure u understand the point I'm making ....

[@toytoy1091]

@KelliAnn Winkler I only heard the first couple of mins of loud over-bearing music before reading the comment about the wonderfull ''Ambient'' music ... so I cliked off and made my comment. If u thort it was 'fitting' music ... that's yr choice. K

[@Will-tn8kq]

"That is history's spell. It teaches us lessons while convincing us those lessons don't apply to us." That is a brilliant line.

[@deepdragon2]

no the convincing comes from the idiot education system.

[@familykaplan1341]

Gold

[@jamesrawlings5781]

I've never found that, personally. It's up to us, or the people teaching us history, to think about its relevance to us. There is a famous line, 'those that don't learn history are doomed to repeat it', that suggests there are plenty of lessons from history that apply to us.

[@tomlxyz]

​@@jamesrawlings5781 still, there are couple of times where someone who we know knew the history or even admired someone who ended up making a big mistake to just end up with the same mistake again. One could look back at a previous failure, think they figured out the problem but be wrong about it. Then there's also that before modern times, the accuracy of recording history wasn't taken as seriously, so people might have made decision on wrong information

[@jamesrawlings5781]

@@tomlxyz Absolutely. I just think the original line quoted at the top is exactly that, a nice line. I don't think it really works. It will apply sometimes, and won't apply at all other times. It's a nice line set up as a some sort of universal truth about history that doesn't really work.

[@edwardsmith7088]

As a forever history lover, even once a history major at CSULA before switching to Business at CSUN [History would not pay nearly enough], I am estatic to find your incredible podcast. I listen/view your series when working-out my 82 year old body......and I know once all are heard/viewed, I will re-cycle & start again + telling everyone about your EXCELLENT series!!!

[@10laws2liveby]

Best history lesson I ever heard. Had my school classes been taught like this, I never would have dropped out.

[@jilewa]

Absolutely. I recall my high school history teacher’s excitement about the accomplishments of the Romans trailing off into vague mention of tribal warfare and gloomy monastic remnants in “The Dark Ages.” It’s remained a place of intense curiosity for me since then what it must have felt like to live amongst those ruins.

[@user-hx4ok5xk1j]

To bad ai ruins it all ...

[@ColdSteel-dz3pf]

You sure about that Mike?

[@10laws2liveby]

Hopeful thinking I guess. @@ColdSteel-dz3pf

[@sam-pf5cs]

15:09 "Despite their colorful pantheon of gods, the real religion of the romans was the religion of urbanism" I feel like i learned a lot from that sentence

[@rjones83061]

here here!

[@rjones83061]

part of our religion is what we actually physically do.

[@sam-pf5cs]

@@rjones83061 fr, peoples tend to adapt their religions to their cultural context That's how something like Christianity goes from "The meek shall inherit the earth" to "Prosperity Gospel" in a place like the USA (no hate but I think even adherents would admit that things have changed a bit since Martin Luther)

[@donnacamp9869]

Sounds depressingly current.

[@GoodbyeMrChips-do2fl]

15:09 "Despite their colorful words of democracy and human rights, the real religion of USA is Cash and Globalism

[@lachlanmclennan2188]

This series just proves that talent and passion is far more effective than having a huge budget or a professional production team This is way better than anything I've seen on Netflix

[@relativisticvel]

way better than anything I have seen on the history channel.

[@HFFCANADA]

Yes I agree the footage used in the dramatizations is great on both sides it actually shows any information on what he's talking about in the moment

[@TheTomimt]

Netflix and History Channel documentaries would be too busy building idiotic cliffhanger moments every 15-minute, followed by 5-minute recaps.

[@mobsnitchanonymous213]

Watch cuties

[@kimreed131]

The "Chef's Table" is fabulous a MUST watch and "My Octopus Teacher" is another one. KZbin isn't any better this series isn't trending or on your first page you have to research.

[@matthewwhitton5720]

I’m almost appalled that it’s taken me so very long to stumble across this superlative series of productions. Simply marvelous. Your work ought to serve as a template for other producers.

[@Grgrrr]

Visited London for the first time with my wife and two young sons. Took the tour to see Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath. Was amazed at the extent of Roman ruins in Bath and how they were covered over and lost in time. I appreciate your professionalism. The poetry was especially impactful.

[@d3showtime410]

Same experience brother! Bath was very interesting

[@paul1982100]

Is stone henge Roman?

[@RynSen]

@@paul1982100 No, Stonehenge was already thousands of years old when the Romans arrived. It predates written history. Very little is known about the culture that built Stonehenge.

[@jenniferwalters8771]

​@@paul1982100If by English you mean American then no it's not.

[@paul1982100]

@@jenniferwalters8771 o I would of said amarican if I ment americam

[@willzsportscards]

"History doesn't repeat itself. Events are so complex that nothing happens the same way twice." Finally, an intelligent and nuanced discourse on a fascinating topic. Fantastic series.

[@lindamaemullins5151]

Might not happen in the same exact way but it definitely repeats 🤔

[@scriminamp]

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes" -Mark Twain

[@CloudNine0211860]

i mean a plague every hundred years is kinda repetitive

[@arthurgol500]

but it does rhyme

[@0ortcloud517]

Of course it's not repeating the same way but there are patterns to unlock

[@rossdavies8250]

I am just discovering these podcasts. Came to this by watching the Sumerian episode, I am now starting from the beginning. I would recommend this to anyone.

[@theangriestcatintheworld]

Ah, me as well. These are brilliant, aren't they?!

[@believer8480]

I agree one of the best history lessons I've had in awhile! I started with the first and I can't wait to finish the series!

[@artloz6345]

Same thing

[@EastCoastOrigin]

Also started with Sumerians and decided to start from the beginning! 😁

[@nickpalmer7491]

I found this through the Sumerian episode too

[@waltspencer6942]

This production is simply superb. Soooooo much better than anything on TV or on Amazon, Netflix, etc. No dramatic music crashing down, no ridiculous re-enactments, no superfluous flummery. Excellent writing, exceptional narration, beautiful cinematography, re-enactment shots which are thoughtful and rather elegantly presented. Just simply superb. I cannot wait to watch the others in the series. Thank you!

[@omicroneridani7456]

One can but concur.

[@Wisdom1944]

Ditto!

[@GOTHICA1999]

"History doesn't repeat itself but it often rhymes." -Mark Twain

[@Sheffy-gb9rp]

"It's like poetry, it rhymes" -George Lucas

[@rico993]

"I never said that." - Mark Twain

[@GOTHICA1999]

@@rico993 My guy yes you did.

[@gehtdianschasau8372]

@@rico993 "I have explosive diarrhea" - Platon

[@ammer8566]

Actually, what Mark Twain said was, "History never repeats itself, but it does rhyme from time to time." And yes, making his statement rhyme with itself was intentional. Historians LOVE this statement and cringe when people say history repeats itself.

[@johndavies8608]

I'm 71 and a bit of a student of British history. This is fascinating and beautifully produced. Hoping for a lot more.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words!

[@khankrum1]

You never stop learning something new. The national Curriculum should take a leaf or two out of this book.

[@PL7802]

I watched this in the morning and in the afternoon I went shopping into York, like I have, thousands of times before. It looks a little different today.

[@finneylane4235]

Dr. Rebecca Pinner reciting the poem "Ruin" in Old English is a magnificent work of performance art. This documentary is beautifully done. And the photography! Your drone footage flying over ancient ruins is spectacular!

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thanks Finney!

[@christinemartin63]

The editing is also terrific with these episodes--as well as the exquisite lyrical tone throughout. How wonderful is the inclusion of poetry! Beautiful.

[@russelladams9147]

Extraordinary sceries in a time when the History channel would prefer to cater to alien conspiracies and monster hunts.

[@misatokitty76]

@Binguh Bungah We could attach lasers to the heads of Roman legions, though.

[@what-a-life8097]

Aliens are dope afff tho

[@TheSocketshock]

Extra-Ordinary indeed! in all the best ways!

[@sharkypliskin]

Ronald Reagan rode a velociraptor in the second Alien Vs Bigfoot war on Mars

[@jackiefrantom5889]

I agree. stuff like this, I live for

[@dexstewart2450]

So we Welsh people have a kind-of 2nd National Anthem - Y'ma O Hyd - 'Still Here'. It basically talks about outlasting all the Invaders, including the Romans and the English. The opening line : You don't remember Macsen, ( Magnus Maximus ) Dwyt ti'm yn cofio Macsen, Nobody knows it; Does neb yn ei nabod o; A thousand and six hundred years Mae mil a chwe chant o flynyddoedd Too long for memory; Yn amser rhy hir i'r cof; When Magnus Maximus left Wales Pan aeth Magnus Maximus o Gymru In the year three-hundred-eight-three, Yn y flwyddyn tri-chant-wyth-tri, And leaving is a whole nation A'n gadael yn genedl gyfan And today: behold! A heddiw: wele ni! We're still here, Ry'n ni yma o hyd, Despite everyone and everything, Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth,

[@hirokidabar4655]

pa gur yv y porthaur?

[@k80schubert5]

What an AMAZING FINALE to a great show. THANK YOU.

[@TreforTreforgan]

alison webster well, the Wallaces of William Wallace fame were from Wales. No Scot would question their Scottishness though.

[@ruthmaryrose]

Dex Stewart Thank you. The more history we know the more we understand our present.

[@AverageAmerican]

Thank you, very much! I am mostly Welsh. So, we're still here, too...

[@brooklynnchick]

This is a beautiful documentary series, thank you. The BBC is missing the boat by not funding your work.

[@lampad4549]

Or they know people arent going to spend hours watching on tv, better to have on news.

[@Just_Call_Me_Tim]

​@@lampad4549 And yet 3.5 million HAVE watched for hours! 😂 (It's definitely helpful that it's possible to lock your screen and listen to this while working on something else!)

[@GerardBeaubrun]

This podcast breaks my heart each time. Each time! I find myself myself basking in a cradle of melancholy, history, wisdom and cautionary tales and the cold cold wind roaming around of deserted ruins

[@HelicopterHatHacker]

I listen to these at bed time as I drift off. I actually enjoy going to bed thanks to this.

[@christinebeames2311]

Russian Troll hi try jonlevi

[@MIKE-TYTHON]

christine beames thanks for a new Chanel aha

[@christinebeames2311]

MIKE TYTHON Hi mike , glad you like him we’ve all said “ wow how did they build that without jcb’s and electric drills” and never questioned it , I find the grid marks of lost cities in the wilderness intriguing , It also puts this present reset in its place , after all the others All these years we were lied to ,

[@tainatengahue3606]

Me too man

[@ryanschreck45]

Same

[@andrewwiemken6443]

Tolkien drew heavily from old Anglo-Saxon legends about the 'work of giants'. If you look at Middle Earth, there are massive ruins of advanced civilizations everywhere, structures that nobody in the time of the stories could hope to build anymore. 'Orthanc' for example is an Old English word meaning 'cunning, skillful', and this word repeatedly shows up in Medieval texts in reference to the 'work of giants' (i.e. the Romans). He littered his works with these real-life references, being a professional medieval scholar in his day job.

[@Kingedwardiii2003]

That’s the same way with George RR Martin with the wall and the Hightower and Asshai the world of ASOAIF is a post apocalyptic world where people live in the shadow of advanced civilization

[@synthetiCore]

Indeed. It even seems as if King Theodan's speech at the Pelennor Fields was inspired by the Ragnarok poem brought to bear at the end of Fall of Civilization's episode on the Greenlandic Vikings.

[@yourapocalypse216]

If *you*, lucky KZbinr, have just stumbled upon this channel, and you're wondering if this is worth your time, then hear me as a ghost of the (recent) past… this series is *excellent*. Intelligent, informative, entertaining, it's perfectly pitched. The sort of thing the BBC did fifty years ago, with modern production values. Absolutely top-notch stuff.

[@qbones7]

Excellent! This has clarified so much for me. Many histories of this era just glaze over why and how the legions left Britannia. It has always been explained that they were simply needed elsewhere, rather than addressing the long and slow painful decline. I intend to watch this entire series.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you Carmen, hope you enjoy the rest!

[@da90sReAlvloc]

@@FallofCivilizations great video very insightful Have a merry Christmas 🌲☃️. And a happy new year 2023

[@derekketcher9154]

imagine seeing an elephant for the 1st time after losing in battle...what a brillant move

[@mrs.schmenkman2858]

Derek Ketcher Do not think for one minute that scene in LOTR when the hobbits see the "oliphant" was not inspired from this very event

[@r2out]

Indeed, must've been quite a sight😀 Those Romans sure knew how to manipulate the psych of their enemies; they had a lot of practice, meeting all kinds of barbarian tribes.

[@romella_karmey]

They should have shown so much. Like hyenas and lions LOL

[@gj8683]

This superbly well done: the speech, pacing, analogies to more modern events, and the music that doesn't seek to over-stimulate the listener (who hardly needs it) or upstage the narrator in volume.

[@fuzzlenuff]

Indeed. Informative, entertaining and presented without thundering music overpowering the narration.

[@tjmulligan3086]

you said it better than i could. i 100% agree

[@chriswhite2151]

The cinematography is beautiful too. And the storytelling is compelling and keeps the attention. Excellent series!

[@henryireton11]

Agreed.

[@minimaker5600]

@70 Series Tires It all fits beautifully together, no matter where it's from. Unless you're a university scholar, the content is just fine.

[@amanitamuscaria7500]

I've walked along Hadrian's wall - and around Maiden Castle. Both places very atmospheric. To stand by the wall, looking North, and imagine how it felt to be a Roman Soldier.....or a Pict, waiting your chance to attack....is a journey back in time. Thank you for such a professionally made channel. Excellent.

[@DanRoss11]

Thank you for making these! So many documentaries now reek of the creator's fear of losing the interest of their audience, constantly bombarding us with endless quips and sensationalized graphics to hold our attention. They've forgotten the meat and potatoes of it all - GREAT STORYTELLING!

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thanks Dan, glad you think so

[@DavidFraser007]

This one of the best historical documentaries I've watched. I didn't want it to end.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you David, very kind!

[@rhiancope156]

@@FallofCivilizations But also very true. This is quality broadcasting and historiography.

[@johndoe-fq7ez]

Watch the Assyrian one it’s 3 hours long lol

[@victoriabullock1444]

I love the poem, The Ruin. The Old English version is so beautiful and melodic. Beautifully done!! Love this episode!! Many Thanks.

[@hejla4524]

Poignant and beautiful, first time I've heard of it.

[@mikecarot7264]

I dont think giants is metaphorical

[@cristalboissonneault5502]

I love these podcasts, I listen to them wile i make crafts with my kids, they always have such great questions after and it really helps spark their curiosity about life

[@FallofCivilizations]

Really glad you're all enjoying!

[@nubfaceforthelose]

Epic. Can't believe I've stumbled upon such a gem. This series is some of the most creative, well shot, researched stuff I've ever seen on KZbin. You deserve way more subscribers. You can't get this kind of stuff even on TV!. Keep it up Paul!

[@gatleystone2480]

@@redwingrob1036well that’s why its call the fall of civilizations podcast and not the might of empires podcast

[@MrDazzlerdarren]

The content of this channel reminds me of the old, quality BBC programming we used to get. Truly amazing content. I'm having to resist the urge to binge watch and to just watch one video a day to savour them.

[@alanc6781]

Yes, poor old Aunty has gone the way of the Romans. Just imagine if this channel had the resources of the BBC!

[@larkturner7136]

Last year my wife and I visited the splendid Roman ruins in Bath. The Baths are beautiful and the required plumbing and hydraulics needed to make the Baths work was far more complex then I would have initially guessed. To have such a complex and architecturally developed settlement in such a wild country makes it all the more fascinating.

[@FallofCivilizations]

It's a beautiful place!

[@donnashirk295]

Thank you for the clear enunciation, pleasant voices, lack of presumptions and generalizations! You’ve hit the spot on making ancient history relatable! Thanks to everyone for sharing this so we can all have the opportunity to learn 💝

[@johnpless2954]

I could not have said this better myself. It is so interesting to listen to.

[@Lorec1855]

You have created such a marvelous history channel! It is well written, wonderfully produced , edited, and presented. This channel is a gem that I can't get enough of.

[@familykaplan1341]

Nor can I

[@adamfrazer5150]

Most of the time, I'm quick to condemn 99% of YT for being far more obnoxious than TV, but I need to keep channels like this in mind - that remaining 1% is filled with some truly enjoyable channels such as this one. Many thanks for your massive efforts and devotion to spreading knowledge and keeping the past close at hand.

[@ptyleranodon3081]

Main stream media sources are all bought and paid for by a small number of people with special interests. Podcasts are the way to go to find quality programs and discussions these days.

[@doseferatu]

There are tons of incredible channels wym

[@Automedon2]

There are over 500 million videos on KZbin. If you haven't found the incredible array of quality here, you're not looking in the right places. My television hasn't been plugged in for 6 years. If I happen to watch it somewhere I'm at, it seems to be vapid, artificial pap.

[@Hyperlooper]

Oh man, as long as you stay away from the "influencers" there's a huge amount of content on KZbin that's far far less obnoxious than television. You just need to start curating your feed by subscribing to channels you like and looking at the related content. It's well worth it, there's a huge world of great content if you look for it.

[@spaceytracey1237]

As soon as I hear those first few piano notes played I get a warm fuzzy feeling. This is a great YT channel.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you, really kind of you!

[@ericabirton5869]

There is only one word for all of your works, Paul Cooper, and for how you present your historical topics: EXCELLENT!!!!

[@drandana3661]

Found the Assyrian episode in the KZbin rabbit hole. I can't believe the quality of the format content and delivery. So well done please don't stop

[@chadbertrand1460]

This video series has the best editing of stock footage I've seen on KZbin. The imagery never feels irrelevant, repetitive. superfluous or gratuitous.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Really glad you think so Chad!

[@staninjapan07]

A top class production and fascinating besides. Nothing that wasn't relevant or significant and very well structured and paced. This is what we used to be able to call BBC quality. Bloody good job. Thank you from Japan.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thanks Stan, I appreciate it!

[@megashermes5247]

From an anonymous Frenchman, this historical documentary is simply beautiful, and wonderfully told. Thanks to you

[@chandrashekharborkar8729]

I stumbled upon this podcast that has left me highly impressed with the kind of content with brevity and quintessence as its hallmark. To encapsulate history of rise to ruin spanning over five centuries in such a short video requires great deal of planning, selection and preparation of content and scripting which is lucid yet succinct. This indeed is one of masterpieces that I have across on the KZbin. Great Work. Best Wishes. 👍🏽👍🏽

[@robertlee5456]

This is the future of podcasting: an excellent audio track from which listeners can effectively learn, even without visuals; then overlaid with visuals that provide enhanced learning, for students that can use both their eyes and ears.

[@towedarray7217]

The Easter Island one was so amazing that I had to restart and check out the whole series. You folks are doing an excellent job with these. They represent a lot of work and they are just incredible.

[@liabw05]

Same!! :)

[@BrendaOwens]

Same here too

[@endemic_]

First found about this podcast from the Easter Island one like you. Amazing series!

[@ancientspqr8200]

I've watched this episode like 50 times. Very emotion provoking. Makes me nostalgic for a time I didn't even exist in. Bravo.

[@qww760]

My all time favorite history podcast. It’s so relaxing and without sounding super mysterious like most history channels. I am also using this podcast series to improve my writing.

[@stewartlancaster2745]

I've always found the Roman period of Britain's history fascinating. This is the best documentary I've ever seen, it has filled the gaps in my knowledge, especially the departure period. Well done sir, I look forward to more.....

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you Stewart, I appreciate the kind words!

[@ogivecrush]

I agree. Since I was a child, fifty years ago and more, I have found this period of history to be incredibly compelling. I am happy I found this.

[@stewartlancaster2745]

@@ogivecrush Likewise, ever since I was a young boy Roman history has been a magnet (I’m now in my 60’s) I pestered my mum to buy me a plastic Roman sword, shield and helmet from Woolworths. I hastened to add that was some 50 years ago, I can assure you I’m not sitting watching these documentaries wearing my plastic helmet! Lol. You can take this one with a pinch of salt: 10 years ago I had an accident and really damaged my legs, I had some Reki sessions at the time, the lady was a medium too, she said that my guardian angel is a “gladiator”

[@cathjj840]

Another factor in Rome's withdrawal was probably climate change - a decided change for the worse after an exceptionally clement period that coincided with Rome's occupation. Agricultural yields went way down, and the range of crops dwindled. If the place already wasn't paying for itself, this would certainly not have helped.

[@gaz8891]

@@cathjj840 That's very interesting. Climate change also accounted for the end of the Bronze Ages in northern Europe. Until then, for a few thousand years, northern Europe had been much warmer, warmer than even anything being predicted now for us for climate change, something to think about !

[@thefirespectrum]

The part about the buried coin hoards reminds me of my neighbor's grandfather. They had a farm in Cuba. When the communists took over they buried their valuables and fled, intending to reclaim their farm after the communists were defeated. That wasn't to be, and they made a new life in America instead. I'm sure some version of this story has happened countless times, throughout history.

[@Automedon2]

I lived in an area where there were many immigrants who came from Poland after the war. I have heard many stories of people finding money and rifles in the walls of those old houses, plastered over for the event that they would need to defend themselves once again.

[@mattsmith1126]

I consider this to be the best historical documentary writing and dialogue I have experienced in my life. A+++. Great job.

[@jonathanfree1186]

By far my favorite episode. A surreal look at when a culture reaches its limits. Also once the Hadrian wall was built it really marks the beginning of the end.

[@banishedfromars]

I've read, watched, listened to and studied Roman history . Not once have I heard the coordinated barbarian attacks explained that way . Thank you for a great series .

[@gaz8891]

I recommend you look into the work of Alan WIlson, who specialises in ancient British history. He covers what is known from the point of view of the British, which is almost never addressed, simply because the Anglo Saxons - from whom we get our history today - were the enemies of the British and had no reason or knowledge to keep our older history alive. Even this brilliant film by Mr Cooper is keeping to the conventional, very limited narrative. At the time of the Roman invasion, there was a two tier society in this country, the native celtic tribes AND the ruling British kings and noblemen, who had invaded the country a long time ago. There already were cities and long distance trade, and power centres based in Wales, most of which was never conquered by the Romans ... The situation over the 4 centuries of the Roman invasion was much more interrelated with our own British rulers, who never went away, then this film lets you know.

[@PopGoesTheology]

You've really taken your previous work to the next level by adding the *professional* *looking* *video* *material* to the narration. And just in time to give us something to do while staying at home! Thanks for your hard work.

[@WoodysAR]

Yeah, professional _looking_ ---Too bad it _sounds_ like a grade schoolers first effort with Adobe Premiere. Why in the world they would have two people talking over each other in two different languages *and at the same volume?* Not even following the Professional editing conventions of either separating them in Stereo (Left/Right, a speaker for each speaker!) OR making the voice being translated 1/10th the volume, to imply translation _but_ not tax peoples ears by increasing the effort to mentally separate and discern the two voices. (I don't even mind translation overlays, I like to try to learn languages when I hear them) BUT HERE EVEN THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE as they introduced an arbitrary and unnecessary *_9 second DELAY_* to the translated voice, completely disrupting any temporal connection or shared 'understanding' between the two voices (and destroying the only reason to have both voices audible). As someone who has edited video on computer, as long as editing video on computers has been a thing, I can attest, they did EVERYTHING wrong. Adding STOCK FOOTAGE is NEVER PROFESSIONAL in my estimation, it is just a TRICK to fool and pull in people with style rather than substance,.. (TO MAKE IT _LOOK_ "professional".)

[@rjones83061]

in my case listening to your podcast Fall of Civilizations is an event......every time I listen ......and let us know forget to thank KZbin .........a bedtime story I do not lose interest in...

[@henrygustavekrausse7459]

@@WoodysAR Nice try, show-off.

[@supahnubz]

@@WoodysAR For all of your technical expertise, as a layman I quite enjoyed listening to the poem and with little difficulty. I enjoyed hearing what the poem sounded like in Old English, and could follow the translation easily given by reading it on the screen as I was listening to it. The delay didn't detract anything for me either, in that like the vast majority of people watching this no doubt, I'm not versed in Old English. Perhaps, remember the importance of first confronting experience without prejudice, before applying the conceptions you've accumulated - to do otherwise may ruin your experience, as it seems to have done here.

[@karentelling7746]

I absolutely loathed history at school, and frequently switched off on class or mitched!! I accidentally stumbled upon this and almost hastily scrolled on in horror!!. Thank heaven I stayed. He is the David Attleborough of history!! It's absolutely enthralling in every way. Thank u so much 4 my very belated education!!!

[@captainboing]

Wow! Simply wow! The production of this is amazing and represents enormous research and effort and far outweighs anything on syndicated TV. This was an especially interesting episode for me as I never really saw how and when the Angles and Saxons fitted in the picture between the Romans and the Viking. Thank you so much!

[@swissjetpilot1542]

Thank you so much for this wonderful work. Such a refreshing change from the narcissistic BBC commentators who always seem to feel they need to be seen and heard in everything they do. How nice it was to just enjoy the beauty of the cinematography, the amazing British landscape and ruins, while listening the narrators voice. A lesson well learned from some of Britain's best commentators of the past who were heard and not seen, yet never forgotten.

[@Badgersj]

Narcissistic BBC commentators who insist on the diagonal discourse - where they advance towards the camera on a diagonal course, usually top right to bottom left, they deliver the punchline to their little thesis as they reach the bottom corner, then raise their eyebrows, look down, and disappear into the bottom corner with an expression that says, 'I'm SOO clever I can't believe myself.' ALL of them, ALL the time!!!

[@georgerubin8860]

We

[@Stettafire]

Not to mention that the BBC is either racist, or pandering, never in the middle

[@Blackadder75]

@@Badgersj the sad thing is that those BBC productions with those flaws are still way better than anything else on mainstream tv on the subject.

[@TheLionGirlContortion]

I just graduated this year with my history degree, and this series is saving me from the boredom and stress of retail life under covid😅😅 thanks for the in-depth and well-researched videos!!

[@garymaidman625]

I feel your pain. Since graduating, I've become a bit of a snob when it comes to history documentaries. This one passes my stringent criteria.

[@DMM-cv5fh]

This is superbly written and produced, the descriptions at times gave me chills and I could easily envision how things might have been. Well done indeed!

[@ChannelRandomMy]

Not gonna lie, this channel both teaches me a ton of awesome history and lulls me to sleep at night when needed 😁

[@checkyourhead9]

'Collapsed into the ashes of history' Love this line Love this podcast Great work!

[@kindking8009]

I watch history docs all the time, but I don't recall ever hearing why the Picts were named as such. Also didn't realize that pretty much ALL Roman Britain towns, including London, were completely abandoned and scavenged by those left behind.

[@talamioros]

Things like the origin of the Picts' name usually don't figure in TV documentaries in a hurry to fill airtime, it's usually only covered in more expansive books. It's only because this was originally a podcast series with no time limit that such juicy tidbits can make their way in at leisure.

[@jackwilliams4087]

Picts were originally an Irish tribe called pictii. Came here for better weather and never left.

[@rainmanjr2007]

I took it that they are remnants of the Picard race, out of Northern France, which fled when Joan Of Arc was burned. They fled to Scotland. I am an ancestor of them and a huge fan of Star Trek. haha.

[@robokill387]

@@jackwilliams4087 no, you're mixing them up with the Scoti. The picts were indigenous, the Scoti originally came from Ireland.

[@MalharetasLair]

@Neil Gilfillan Wow, you're surprisingly sane for someone your age! Wild, man, wild! \j you meant descendant, mate, not ancestor lol ,,,unless 👀

[@mqblues]

Watching this episode of fall of Roman Britain was reminded of the books of Rosemary Sutcliff who, through fiction, describes the Roman pullout of Britain and subsequent struggles of the inhabitants. Well done.

[@benjijoyce6376]

Absolutely captivated by this. The pace, tone and visuals are... perfect would be the only suitable descriptor. This passage in our country's tumultuous history is one of the most fascinating to me- the almost apocalyptic decline of civilisation and the mechanical reversion to a previous mode of life is just spellbinding. Wow, thank you for this gem!!

[@Angayasse]

The whole channel - is a TREAT to the mind weary of listening to "history" on other media. This is what truly educational, unbiased, objective history should look like. Thank you so much, I am loving every single episode.

[@sissyrayself7508]

There's no such thing as unbiased in education or entertainment.

[@aoakzeph]

I'll be the first to admit I was expecting something drier. That was absolutely fascinating...

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you, very kind of you!

[@schlomoshekelstein908]

@Hawaiian Pride if you're a true hawaiian you need to capture them and eat them

[@Veldtian1]

@@schlomoshekelstein908 You still got it Mr Shekelstein.

[@pmcg534]

Yes I apsolutley loved it. Keep them coming.

[@AB-ih4ms]

This comment made me stay and watch! Thank you!

[@richardpalomino6817]

I am just so happy I found this channel. It keeps me calm and collected and I am just astounded by the information and how you deliver it. Thank you so much for doing what you’re doing!

[@jkam2524]

Absolutely beautiful done, Paul. Seems like you have paused on these, but just wanted to leave a note telling you how wonderful they are.

[@Turrican]

History is vast, complex and comprises a billion unknown personal stories lost in time.

[@JohnSmith-ou5un]

Mally Canning Theirstory

[@johnnybegood9560]

History is what ever the powers that be want to tell us it is. It's been re-written multiple times by different powers over the centuries. My view is different to yours, each would tell a different truth

[@Zayden.]

History is more than billions of personal stories. There are definite laws in the development of history, a clear discernable pattern of evolution, stages of development.

[@Zayden.]

@mr strobe it's not readily apparent (nothing in science is). but upon closer study, it's clear that throughout history human societies have gone through different stages of evolution, based on the productivity of labor, the forces and capacity of production, forms and mode of production. from simple, basic to more and more complex, advanced. not in a direct linear way but definite general trend.

[@davidmatthew802]

Billions of unknown personal stories. How amazing and incredible is that? We all have a part and each one of us serves a purpose we could never begin to comprehend. Hopefully when we pass on, we will get to see how everything fits together for a common purpose or preordained plan. It just cannot be all random.

[@sauravroychow]

Just started watching this series. Can't believe how fast the hour long episode finished. Very nice watch, almost peaceful, haha. Looking forward to watching all of them. Cheers.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@Kit-vb5rm]

An excellent insight into Roman Britain, no fluff, just facts well narrated. This is just the beginning of an amazing series detailing various episodes of an incredible history. Thank you.

[@dfaux2118]

Most wonderful series you have created. Lyrical and multi-sourced...brilliant! ❤

[@meganwelsford8171]

Who needs Netflix when there is this quality and narrative story telling! Great work Paul.

[@_Booker_DeWitt]

7:26 in case anyone doesn't know, 'corn' was a word that just meant grain. He's not referring to maize (native to the Americas). Confused me when I read a book set in Anglo Saxon England and they mentioned 'corn', had to look it up

[@obiwahndagobah9543]

In German "Korn" has the same meaning

[@SuperManning11]

Similar, in a way to the word ‘deer’ in Anglo-Saxon, which meant simply ‘animal’ and is cognate to the modern German word for animal, ‘Tier’

[@anihtgenga4096]

"John Barleycorn must die!"

[@obiwahndagobah9543]

@@SuperManning11 True. The case of the reindeer is a funny example, were the name still fitted after the change of meaning of "deer". In German it is called "Rentier" = "ren-animal", after the original "ren" in Swedish.

[@iqweaver]

@@SuperManning11 And apple which meant any fruit.

[@raymondcrowel6409]

We just discovered this brilliant work. Finally a YT channel that tells the stories ‘straight-up.’ I have a wish: that you could do a timeline to show overlaps of civilizations going back to Sumer. The only one I’ve ever seen begins at 1950 BC and does not address the civilizations outside of Eurasia.

[@imworsewithoutit]

Easily one of the best explanations of the fall of Roman Britain I've ever heard. The contemporary accounts are amazing.

[@billmiller4972]

As I'm missing this special commentary I'll do i for you: "That's what History Channel is supposed to be!"

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you, I'm glad you think so!

[@rotwang2000]

Somebody has to trace the history of monster trucks and aliens ...

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

@@FallofCivilizations - I totally agree. This is the clearest, concise explanation of the collapse and its aftermath that I've ever listened to. I'll likely listen to it more than once, because this period and the Eastern Roman Empire fascinate me most - as it precedes that darkness called Medieval Europe. I'm slowly reading "Count Belisarius, " which also aims to fill the historical gap of that same time. Thank you for this work.

[@jh1859]

2 thumbs up.

[@johnsinger9156]

eddy1367; Ha! Perfect.

[@marcusaurelius7623]

Amazing execution. Only dislike is the simultaneous reading of the poem in old English and modern english

[@adventussaxonum448]

Yes, I wanted to hear of the "eald enta geweorc"... the old work of giants (the inspiration for the ents of Tolkien).

[@superlitin1]

I agree. This is an absolutely wonderful video, but the reading of the poem should have been in Old English, with translated captions, or maybe read twice in both Old English and modern English

[@davidholiday4494]

I agree - from the point of view that old English was something I studied at university and it would have been lovely to hear it more clearly.

[@Volgan16666]

That is so odd. Its exactly what i was thinking too.

[@pmcg534]

David Holiday what’s the benefits of learning old English at university?

[@maxinecashel1248]

Thoroughly enjoying these episodes, with little or no interference. The deliverance, the voice, is calming with a dominance to ensure the “voice” is being heard. I’m enjoying these episodes so much which I probably wouldn’t do if it wasn’t for “the voice”.

[@Centauro0821]

Love these series of podcasts… thank you, instructed and particularly entertaining as well ! Love narrated history like this!

[@justanamerican9024]

619 dislikes, so THAT is how many History Channel employees there are . . . . .

[@monicakummerer2353]

Yes ...lol

[@MsSoelia]

......or former employees

[@mamamarianovits9029]

😅... indeed.

[@MissionHomeowner]

Nostardamus too. The History Channel is not just UFO's.

[@MrHamtits]

@@MissionHomeowner you got a house yet ?

[@FlightyAngels]

I just found this, and I loved the story telling. As you described the decay of London it reminded me of Detroit today. You brought the story to life as a story teller! This is the way history should be told. Fantastic!

[@Renzsu]

The poem in the beginning reminded me of the book The Buried Giant, by Kazuo Ishiguro. I highly recommend it for those looking for a 'fantasy' novel set in post Roman Brittain.

[@historyrepeat402]

I’d probably feel the same way had I been able to hear it

[@liamdevlin5684]

This cast a spell. The best presentation and voice acting I've heard yet.

[@marcogallo2811]

"Trade across the empire had broken down, impoverishing its people, while at the same time Rome's wealthy were now an ultra-rich elite, far richer than they had ever been in history. Meanwhile, the Empire's enemies grew stronger and more organized, learning how to play to Rome's weaknesses, learning how to win."

[@utubeape]

@Albert D every empire ever

[@Youhaveaname]

Sounds strangely relevant.

[@what-a-life8097]

Hmmmm, Corona Virus... Entire world economy shut down... Ironic 🤨

[@Poisonedblade]

@@what-a-life8097 And everyone I have ever met is fine during the greatest pandemic ever.

[@thorr18BEM]

Poisonedblade , noone ever said it's the greatest pandemic ever. At least it isn't yet. eg 1918 was worse and AIDS killed more people, so far. There's lots of parralells to be drawn though such as lockdowns all around the country in 1918 and mask protests leading to breakouts in areas while other areas clearly demonstrated that masks worked. (LA vs San Francisco). Many don't know anything about history though and so are doomed to repeat it.

[@richlovin2173]

An amazing documentary. All this history was glossed over or ignored when I was in school. Thank you for this realistic history lesson.

[@lizeggar2421]

I went to school in Northern Rhodesia and then Southern Rhodesia. We learnt all this history. I cant believe how virtually none of this history is taught in English schools now. I have been trying to teach my grandchildren, as well as the history of the British Empire.

[@Jason32Bourne]

@@lizeggar2421 The western education system is beyond broken. It's all about subordination, indoctrination, and creating little worker bees.

[@Gurbejong]

Big fan of your channel. Watched many other episodes before I finally watched your first one just now. I think I first saw your episode on Easter Island, amazing! No surprise to see that you are great since the very first episode. Love the extensive research, love your way of thinking, love the way you explain things!

[@coleenredlinger9690]

I hope this series keeps going!!!!!!! One of the best in history! Great job Paul Cooper!!!

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

I live less than 3 miles from Vindolanda, and I can see the tower of a church built from stolen Hadrian's Wall stone from my back door :) In recent years there's been some dispute as to whether or not the wall was ever really used as a defensive structure, and it's thought that it was probably just used as a customs barrier so that Rome could tax goods that were being exported to and imported from the Northern tribes. By the time the wall was finished, it seems like the relationships between the local tribes and Rome had grown to be relatively friendly. Evidence will probably turn up in a few years that disputes this theory of course - excavations at Vindolanda have been ongoing for decades - but such is the field of archaeology! Thanks for making these videos, I just found your channel today and I've subscribed.

[@cmbeadle2228]

Its function as a customs barrier itself was a statement of might: it made outsiders increasingly conform to roman styles of commerce etc - it allowed romanization to seep beyond the borders.

[@NotRiansLuke]

Just found you yesterday: This series is exactly what I've been craving. Thanks so much for making this.

[@KristyAshcraft]

I have watched each episode, multiple times! We need new videos sir! Your work is amazing!

[@FallofCivilizations]

Welcome back!

[@markuhler2664]

This was a wonderful episode, even better the first one I watched. Your work is fantastic. I am so glad I found your channel. I have already learned so much from eras I foolishly thought I knew. Thank you so much.

[@LiSa.N.J]

This is absolute perfection. The best and most informative series on KZbin. Well done!!!

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thanks for watching!

[@Restitutor-Orbis]

This was amazing man. So much heart. And the cinematography was beautiful. I see where we get the fantasy trope of long lost "utopian" civilizations. I always knew it was based off Rome often or just antiquity in general but to hear their stories is amazing...and sad...and hopeful. Great work.

[@gaz8891]

I am wondering if it wasn't far older civilisations. If you read the Chronicles of Brut, written by the ancient British rulers, ie. pre-dating the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, then you will read a brief reference to an older Golden Age, and ancient cities, and also how there were giants in the land when the British arrived, which was about 1700BC. So, there is a lot of history that took place long before the Romans, and I think the legacy and impact of the Romans has been hugely overstated. Please see the work of Alan Wilson, who specialises in ancient British History, using evidence from the Welsh (British) side which been neglected for (political?) reasons. You will enjoy it.

[@ransom15382]

Your work is absolutely amazing. I feel blessed to even have found these videos. Keep up the great works.

[@panagiotisg.roumeliotis8154]

Excellent work guys. I like that at the end of each episode, empathy is used through historical texts that relate to each era you are analyzing.

[@_goodwin10k73]

I'll be the second to admit I was expecting something drier. That was absolutely fascinating...

[@joanneg5562]

A friend recommended that I listen to episode 7, but I decided to start from the beginning and so glad I did. Riveting. Can’t wait to progress to episode 2, but for now, the present day beckons ..... where it appears, we have learned nothing.

[@rainmanjr2007]

We learned how to invade without abandoning our host nation's defense. We did not learn what the mental effects of prolonged war (starting with our founding) will do to a population. I hope that effect is better recorded within our demise but I don't expect humans have much time left.

[@chazbarthel9967]

Thank you for all the work you and your team did to put this master piece together.

[@turningyellow...6659]

Thank you so much for such quality production. I think it was the most holistic approach to the understanding of the Roman Britain (even for someone with no background knowledge, and I never knew why medieval times in England was called the Dark Age but I now I do finally) and even emotionally engaging (I liked how it started with the poem about the ancient ruins at the beginning). I felt guilty watching this for free so I had to show the least appreciation! Please never stop enlightening us. I never found historical documentary this engaging before. Love you!!!!!

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed!