Why Did The Roman Empire Collapse With Mary Beard | Empire Without Limit | Odyssey

The fall of the Roman Empire is still shrouded in controversy and mystery. Mary Beard delves into if this superpower of the Ancient World really collapsed and if so why and when.
Odyssey is your journey into the world of Ancient History; from the dawn of Mesopotamia to the fall of Rome. We'll be bringing you only the best documentaries that journey into the mysteries and ruins of worlds long lost.
Subscribe so you don't miss out!
It's like Netflix for History: the world's finest documentary streaming service -- use the code 'Odyssey' to get 50% off your History Hit subscription!
👉 bit.ly/3cX9hGo
Follow us on Facebook: / odysseyancienthistory
Odyssey is part of the History Hit Network. For any queries, please contact [e-mail]

[@odyssey]

It's like Netflix for History: the world's finest documentary streaming service -- use the code 'Odyssey' to get 50% off your History Hit subscription! bit.ly/3AQ8pPJ

[@EarthSurferUSA]

Not a mystery to me, and I don't have to study it. Today, any nation that does not protect individual liberty and free enterprise will collapse much in the same way, but to communism today. The USA is standing next in line now. We have not learned a thing---that lasted.

[@ossiedunstan4419]

rubbish.

[@johnchornyTheOnly]

It was neither Holy nor Roman, and the day they couldn't pay the Jack-boots. Rome wasn't built in a day, but it fell overnight

[@terryhoath1983]

The Roman Empire did NOT collapse with Mary Beard. The Western Empire collapsed about 1,500 years before she was born, the Eastern Empire, about 500 years before she was born !

[@daveatkinson1042]

netflix' documentaries suck, don't make that comparison!

[@angusmacdonald7187]

I took a course in grad school on the historiography of the Fall of the Roman Empire. As the professor said, "If I do my job right, by the end of this seminar you won't know what the word 'Fall' means, what the word 'Roman' means, what the word 'Empire' means, and you may have trouble with 'of' and 'the'."

[@brucesim2003]

"Why Did The Roman Empire Collapse With Mary Beard"? I don't think Mary Beard was around at the time. It's a bit mean to blame her for the empires collapse. :D

[@raydziesinski7165]

The missing punctuation simply recognizes the implied impact of the good professor. Had she been on hand in the day we might’ve still be wearing a toga.

[@petersack5074]

READ the 6 volumes, of THE FALL OF ROME by Edward Gibbon. TAKE C A R E Author Edward Gibbon Country England Language English Subject History of the Roman Empire and Fall of the Western Roman Empire Publisher Strahan & Cadell, London Publication date 1776-1789

[@Woodman-Spare-that-tree]

Bit cruel, to describe Mary as “collapsed”! 😂

[@brucesim2003]

@@Woodman-Spare-that-tree Nobody said Mary had collapsed, lol.

[@kutulu1976]

She knows what she did.

[@medicalmisinformation]

The fact that an entire empire collapsed with her and Mary Beard was able to dodge all that debris and live to tell the story is truly extraordinary. GIBBON NEVER MENTIONED THIS!

[@Gertyutz]

Yeah, I just saw that too. Beard survived the Fall well, and writes regularly for the UK Times Literary Supplement (TLS) She's a joy to read.

[@haldorasgirson9463]

That is because she was behind the downfall. Naughty Mary.

[@williampaz2092]

Ummm….not to be impolite, but…respectfully, how old is she?…. I mean if she lived through all that she must have been born, at the latest, in 30 BC. Right? …..

[@nomdefamille4807]

@@williampaz2092 That is exactly what I thought on reading the title. If only she could/would explain how she has managed such amazing longevity.

[@sharcon3891]

Gibbon

[@speedtrls]

Mary Beard has such a light touch when discussing what is really dense material. Such a talent and she always takes it in interesting directions.

[@tim7052]

She is an outstanding historian and teacher. 👍

[@fabiengerard8142]

Smart, sensitive, witty, and highly reliable. In short, definitely irreplaceable! Thank you so much for your passion and commitment, Prof. Beard. 🙏🏻🙏🏽🙏

[@tim7052]

@@fabiengerard8142 Agreed!👍

[@speedtrls]

@@tim7052 a wonderful communicator and her passion and deep knowledge is plain to see. I love that she doesn't infantilize, she assumes if you're watching that you are familiar with the basics and we can jump right in with the material. Her choice of artefacts to demonstrate her narrative are really impactful and feel so different from the usual documentaries which often limit themselves to busts, statues, paintings and the like.

[@tim7052]

@@speedtrls Agreed!! 👍

[@TEXANBEAST12]

Mary Beard has to be one of the most legendary historians ever absolutely adore her

[@johanswed74]

Yes, I just love to listen this lady

[@lw3646]

Such a fascinating time. The bits we recognise today, armies, christinanity, trade, law, politics, but so much thats different too like the gladiator games, public executions, tribes roaming across Europe....all in about 15 minutes though, too rushed.

[@latenightpog]

With the exception that she gets simple things wrong. Like the birth of Julias Ceasar. This is just literally the script from the previous programs about Rome. *yawn* its remarkable that she doesn't mention the plagues. Measles and Smallpox.

[@bend3rbot]

EXCEPT THAT she starts with the large premise of explaining the collapse of The Roman Empire and gets stuck in the Weeds of Judeo Christianity without getting any more macro than a pizza metaphor. GARBAGE STREAM OF CONSCIOUS aided by convenient talking heads

[@TEAMGETHELP]

Meh, just reading.

[@jamesjefferies3762]

I learned more about Rome in 59 mins and 19 secs than I ever did through education. Mary beard should be on the school curriculum. She does for history what sister Wendy Beckett did for art. Superb.

[@RoseMary-vs3io]

Wow, your easy

[@healthyone100]

The slaughter of Gods innocent animals for your lust for flesh destroys all Empires america is next!

[@jamesjefferies3762]

@@healthyone100 So I take it you're a vegetarian?

[@jamesjefferies3762]

@@healthyone100 and actually, if you watched the video you'd know Rome didn't collapse. It just transformed into something different. So you're wrong.

[@healthyone100]

@@jamesjefferies3762 No i'm not wrong where are the Roman Ceasers today they all gone!

[@s.h.741]

You can see the changing roles of centre vs periphery of the Empire also in the arts. Provincial styles started to influence Roman art instead of the earlier dominance of Roman aesthetic values influencing the Barbarians on the outskirts. Fascinating stuff.

[@twelvecatsinatrenchcoat]

Good point, that was the most German Roman Throne Room I ever done seen.

[@granthurlburt4062]

One of the many reasons to visit modern Istanbul is to see that this is where the Roman Empire went for several hundred years. It still has miles of Roman walls, Roman Aqueducts, and some Roman monuments and buildings, such as the great cistern through which James Bond paddles in "From Russia with Love", and the Hippodrome, featuring an immense Egyptian obelisk of Thutmose III, erected by Theodosius I in the 4th century AD. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obelisk_of_Theodosius

[@marcoss6212]

She did it again with the Romans, fantastic every time. I'm lucky enough to have her book "SPQR" autographed by her, very nice person.

[@theaxe6198]

I emailed Mary Beard after getting SPQR and she emailed me back!

[@marcoss6212]

@@theaxe6198 Nice, overall she is a friendly decent person. Somehow I imaging her on the late 60s and early 70s with bell bottom pants and tank top with a peace sign on it, little be of a rebel, just a hunch :).

[@DBEdwards]

SPQR. Lucky you to have a personal volume!

[@bradrichards8122]

She does seem very nice. However she isn't very accurate. Storyteller, 100%. Historian, unfortunately not.

[@marcoss6212]

@@bradrichards8122 Hm, a few things escapes everybody here and there, but I would like to hear where is she not a good historian. Keep in mind that I was born in Rome, Italy and understand quite a bit of Latin, maybe that's what you're referring to, I heard a coupe of times she was off a little bit there. Not an attack, just curious.

[@sarahhomrighausen7349]

I WISH she had been one of my professors in college or grad school because I already love history, but she's like a rock star of the intellect!

[@gailhandschuh1138]

The passion that Mary Beard expresses in relation to history of Ancient Rome and the real people is addictive to say the least, perhaps if more youngsters developed a truer understanding of the past, the world would be more tolerant of the present. LOVE hearing her talks and she is a go to for me ALWAYS learn new things about the world and myself listening to her talk. 😊

[@mikaelafox6106]

Agreed!! She makes me excited about history.

[@Gertyutz]

I went to college in the '60's, and I hated history. It was boring. Of course, 30 years before the invention of the video.

[@maryearll3359]

Love Mary Beard, she's taught me a lot. Love the pride and love in her voice as she introduces ' my tour guide, who knows more than me and he's my husband ' ❤

[@honestkaos]

This is the first time that Rome was ever presented as an "idea" rather than a physical place. Growing up as a Roman Catholic, the concept of Rome evolving (transcending) rather than disappearing really makes sense.

[@williammitchell5058]

Has Rome evolved? I see little difference, spiritually, between pagan Rome and papal Rome.

[@ChrisLawton66]

"This is the first time"? No one has ever expressed such a thought before this? Really?

[@studiobencivengamarcusbenc5272]

How can a murder cult transcend ? 😂 ah now I remember into pedophile priesthood and a solid hate for Jesus Christ 🤠

[@studiobencivengamarcusbenc5272]

@@williammitchell5058 there is none - murder then & now

[@briancohenthepfjmassive.4769]

The killers of Jesus.

[@jax-sx9pk]

Mary Beard's outstanding storytelling has created in me an interest of history where none existed before. Thank you for such an enriching gift!

[@lisalking2476]

I love her too !

[@redpoppy4816]

She is brilliant

[@clivebaxter6354]

she is the lightweight historian for the causal viewer, story teller is about right

[@redpoppy4816]

@@clivebaxter6354 If you are so well informed, make a video. Otherwise, keep your judgmental thoughts to yourself.

[@clivebaxter6354]

@@redpoppy4816 Are you the owner of Google then? People can say what they like about second class woke historians so far without being cancelled

[@jeremynoble931]

"There's a little bit of the Romans inside the heads of every one of us." Wonderful.

[@briancohenthepfjmassive.4769]

They should go home in my opinion.

[@guitarslim56]

You mean "lead poisoning"?

[@giovanniacuto2688]

Especially if you studied Latin at school and then ended up marrying a Roman

[@MrPeterhe]

​@@briancohenthepfjmassive.4769 so Romanes eunt domus?

[@newgreatcreation5964]

I don't think so

[@kathi7956]

The ebb and flow of power. A non-ending story.

[@riaanshaigh1338]

Absolutely theee best doc so far. Love your work Mary. Taking us into niches and places not yet seen. Hidden corners and tucked away places. Insights into the minds of those who coloured our history. Awesome facts and stories.

[@charlottef87]

I could listen to Mary all day 🤓❤️

[@krbailess]

“It’s intriguingly complicated…so bear with me…” I was hooked. Delightful, informative, and fascinating documentary. Thank you! ❤

[@geoffreyharris5931]

We wouldn't accept any less.

[@voraciousreader3341]

Admit it….the woman is a genius, beyond a genius. And I’m totally serious.

[@williamanderson8932]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@justinius1969]

Brilliant. Mary's delivery makes it all the more enjoyable!

[@stephenjohnson9560]

Love anything by Mary Beard, her knowledge is outstanding and although getting on a bit, hope she does more of these documetaries.

[@Oldwhiteguy]

Mary Beards series about Rome and all the day to day lives of Romans has got to be one of if not the best informative documentaries out there. Her lectures must be wonderful.

[@darinarnold6976]

There's several lectures of hers here on YT, they're good. She's very engaging

[@taroman7100]

It must be pure confidence to not care about your appearance as Mary Beard does not. I find English women are like that.

[@juliaorr8503]

@@taroman7100 huh? Have you been to Walmart?

[@po-cf1ut]

Her book SPQR is one of the most engaging history books I have ever read. It concerns the history of the Roman Republic and it almost read like a thriller. @@darinarnold6976

[@briane3657]

So are her books. She is a wonderful, informative, and entertaining writer. She has just had a new book come now as I write this in early October 2023.

[@mrh8279]

Great to see Mary's husband make an appearance in this documentary! And it looks like he's a ancient civilisations expert too!

[@williamwilliam5066]

Don't be unkind. She's not that old!

[@emilya4841]

No Mary’s husband is a historian too, I don’t think Mr H was referring to her as old lol

[@mrh8279]

​@williamwilliam5066 I was referring to them both being historians, not their ages😂😂😂

[@williamwilliam5066]

@@mrh8279 I know!! It's my dry sense of humour!

[@MPHORROCKS]

A fascinating, insightful, and very well presented documentary.

[@giuseppelogiurato5718]

I've always wondered why the Roman empire collapsed with Mary Beard... Couldn't it have collapsed without her? It's a dangerous world, with all these people and things collapsing everywhere! I hope she'll be ok! (Mary, that is... Rome will be fine; she's been collapsing for centuries, we're used to it.)😆

[@petersack5074]

Hi, Giuseppe. For a very detailed, examination of Rome, its' people; its past, its' downfall; check out '' The Fall of Rome '' by Edward Gibbon. Here, is a sample........... According to Gibbon, the Roman Empire succumbed to barbarian invasions in large part due to the gradual loss of civic virtue among its citizens.[8] He began an ongoing controversy about the role of Christianity, but he gave great weight to other causes of internal decline and to attacks from outside the Empire. The story of its ruin is simple and obvious; and, instead of inquiring why the Roman empire was destroyed, we should rather be surprised that it had subsisted so long. The victorious legions, who, in distant wars, acquired the vices of strangers and mercenaries, first oppressed the freedom of the republic, and afterwards violated the majesty of the purple. The emperors, anxious for their personal safety and the public peace, were reduced to the base expedient of corrupting the discipline which rendered them alike formidable to their sovereign and to the enemy; the vigour of the military government was relaxed, and finally dissolved, by the partial institutions of Constantine; and the Roman world was overwhelmed by a deluge of Barbarians.

[@zodwraith5745]

@@petersack5074 I don't think you got the joke. Reread the title and what it _might_ mean.

[@giuseppelogiurato5718]

@@zodwraith5745 ty 👍🤣

[@devintaylor8702]

We Mammals will reclaim our world again Rise up all fury Mammals 🦊🐺

[@gloriamontgomery6900]

😂

[@jazzaman147]

Mary Beard is one of my favorite story tellers her take on the romans is so overwhelming i love this series thank you

[@IanReynolds-ip7hb]

She's an old hag

[@tomcarlosimborio7528]

"The conclusion that I come to is that the real heir of the Roman empire was Christendom - not an empire of political domination, or not only that, but an empire of the mind; and in its own ambitions at least, still an empire without limit." ~Dame Winifred Mary Beard, DBE, FSA, FBA, FRSL I love how she began the story at Hadrian's wall and stating its limit, and ended up with her conclusion. What a powerful closing of a documentary!

[@bertplank9892]

Mary is very likely a crypto... so her view of history is likely to be somewhat tainted.Keep in mind a Damehood is as much about who you know as what you know.....The Windsors are notorious for interfering in the honors system.Given Prince Charles association with Saville who would have given Nero a run for his money the Windsors being poorly equipped in brain cells department the twits should be kept at arms length. We're any Roman leaders recorded as having conversations with plants. Luckily it is highly unlikely Charles will do more than ten years ruling. His son could rescue the Windsors from extinction.....theyre past their sell by date..and Camillas crown looked like something you would find at kids party.Preposterous.

[@MaxStArlyn]

A decaying Empire: 1261-1453 By the fourteenth century, the J’3ωι5Η question of Byzantium seemed to be most concerned with Venetian J’3ω5. Venetians had come to reside in the Empire in large numbers by the early 14th century, and treaties between the Empire and Venice granted the Venetians living in the empire, including J’3ω5 of Venetian origin, special privileges, though they also carried certain minor economic prohibitions. Under the aegis of these treaties, Venetian J’3ω5 could buy, sell or rent land anywhere in Constantinople. They also enjoyed a more favorable tax structure than Byzantine citizens, as well as the freedom of movement and settlement anywhere in the Empire.[47] Further complicating this legal status, some J’3ω5 obtained Venetian citizenship either "by coming from areas subject to the Republic or by purchasing naturalization", thus obtaining the same privileges as Venetian nationals in the Empire.[48] At this time, the Empire was in rapid decay, and could not seriously enforce laws intended to curtail these rights and regain economic control within its borders. Thus, an exception to the general trend of Byzantine history emerged during this century, whereby J’3ω5 were entitled to a broader set of rights than Christians..

[@jerryneal9006]

Mary Beard is great. I love her doing the narration. I will watch just because it's her doing the documentary.

[@janel342]

For those who were ( rightly imho) critical of the chap doing The Odyssey- THIS is what an English academic looks like!

[@TNord.]

"To ravage, to slaughter, to steal, this they give the false name of empire; and where they create a desert, they call it peace." ― Tacitus

[@mrnice7570]

No one conquered Calgacus

[@OdeInWessex]

@@mrnice7570 Couldn't cope with the weather. The soldiers posted on Hadrian's wall complained about it constantly.

[@bertplank9892]

Not very tactful from Tacitus...

[@TNord.]

@@mrnice7570 dougie McClean wrote a beautiful song called Caledonia. If you’re into all things Scottish then it’s worth a listen…

[@mrnice7570]

@@TNord. he comes from my hometown of Perth, Caledonia's calling me now I'm.going home 😊👍

[@ericanderson1846]

What an excellent presentation. Thanks much for this.

[@DavidChristieCareerCafe]

Fascinating. Well done.

[@ricardomachado6718]

all empires fall. facts of life. LOVED the video

[@The_Space_Born]

Because of multiculturalism.

[@OdeInWessex]

@@The_Space_Born No, usually because of economics. The Roman Empire existed on the basis of Multiculturalism, bringing in groups of diverse cultures and making local big-wigs Romans to administer their Empire for them. It was a process of assimilation that worked until the Empire just got too big to manage.

[@Chard-O]

I've been waiting for her next story!! I cherish this woman and her passion for history and for the way she tells it. Thank you!!

[@Gertyutz]

Beard writes regularly for the UK Times Literary Supplement (TLS) She's a joy to read.

[@brendadrew834]

Fabulous documentary! Great job Mary, but in that pizza scene at the restaurant I was thinking that old adage, "You're not suppose to play with your food!" LOL just kidding! I'm fascinated with Roman history and had a photo of me taken while standing between the columns at the ancient ruins when I was in romantic historical Rome many moons ago! Great experience and the very best way to learn about history....travel! ♥♥

[@Grace17893]

Glad you having fun Mary God bless you and xo

[@reezagibbons465]

Ook what will we do without our Professor Mary narrating and knowledge. I love her Wish I knew of her early works . I am enjoying her now .

[@petersack5074]

THE FALL OF ROME by Edward Gibbon. ( You could be one of his family ! ) TAKE C A R E Author Edward Gibbon Country England Language English Subject History of the Roman Empire and Fall of the Western Roman Empire Publisher Strahan & Cadell, London Publication date 1776-1789

[@frankyyaggabot6222]

@@petersack5074 Yes. Great work ... unfortunately a narrative that is increasingly destined to be consigned with the diminution of the human mind ... to history!

[@Eazy-ERyder]

So GLAD she has done this. I love Roman History and her narrative of history in General, although I do NOT think she was DIRECTLY involved with Rome's fall.

[@warfarenotwarfair5655]

She is a fraud and a diversity hire.

[@skadiwarrior2053]

I don't know. She is getting on a bit now isn't she.

[@JosephRaoII]

Reading SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome, Mary's book, currently and it's a great introduction into Roman Socieity highly recommend it as essential reading for everyone

[@andreasalmen1067]

Great work, thank you!

[@adeladevere2013]

LOVE Mary Beard! Thank you for posting this episode.

[@wizzardofpaws2420]

I could watch her 24/7/365 Oh how I wish she would make a million documentaries!

[@patrickmccormack4318]

Her deliver is awesome. She was destined to do what she does.

[@frankyyaggabot6222]

@@patrickmccormack4318 I think that was irony from WizzardOfPaws ... he is alluding to her capacity to reinvent History and the Orwellian nature of how that might be cast into the world 24/7!

[@insertgenericnamehere7774]

Simp

[@sawingwithsammy6059]

Really

[@mikereger1186]

Ancient History’s answer to David Fletcher.

[@mikaelafox6106]

_…the first time that the Roman’s actually seemed to speak to me…_ I don’t know why, but this line gave me chills. It’s as if I could imagine all of the people of the past trying to tell her their stories, so she could tell them to us. Also, whoever produces these documentaries always seems to pick some really good music! Especially for the end!

[@oafclops8121]

they're crying out "don't do what we did in our dying days"

[@LittleKitty22]

Mary Beard sure is a very old woman isn't she. She caused the Roman Empire to collapse and she remembers speaking to Romans. Blimey, some people live a long life, but THAT...

[@hhwippedcream]

Beautiful footage, excellent host! Thanks for posting/sharing!

[@hhwippedcream]

I find it fascinating that the Lion became a symbol of Jesus given the role lions played in early Christian persecution

[@thugnomics123]

Absolutely loving this stream of Mary Beard content on Rome!

[@mickeyray3793]

To me, it's incredible that the Empire held together as long as it did, without the benefit of modern electronic communication.

[@robs2579]

Without technology creating more impatient people, people were more patient

[@signodeinterrogacion8361]

@@robs2579 Of course, back then things were expected to take longer than nowadays, but we aren't talking about casual communication. It was about fighting with constant rebels and invaders that could organize quickly on the local level they operated in while you where a very big chunky empire which headquarters were weeks away. To me decentralization was basically inevitable, honestly, it just makes more sense for fighting with enemies below the size of Rome (pro tip, there weren't any enemies the size of Rome, just lots and lots and lots of smaller local enemies).

[@dsplodge86]

@@robs2579this is KZbin. You don’t need permission.

[@signodeinterrogacion8361]

@@robs2579 Sorry, I forgot to ask for the 12.43.45 form at the desk 109 in the Cunt Department for Very Very Very Important Opinions that Should Never Ever Ever be Challenged (C.D.V.V.V.I.O.S.N.E.E.C.). May the law be merciful with me!!!

[@juliantheapostate8295]

@@robs2579 I did, actually. Thanks Signo

[@richardgosztyla697]

I absolutely love watching anything presented by Mary Beard. She’s such an engaging personality.

[@Lov17213]

Love your fascinating documentaries.

[@voraciousvlad]

Fantastic production thank you.

[@kennethmeyer2329]

Anything by Mary Beard is always worth watching

[@jimgraham6722]

Thanks Mary. Love this Roman stuff.

[@AB-kg6rk]

What an excellent production, well done Mary.

[@stevenbrown6277]

Very informative documentary. Thank you.

[@antonomaseapophasis5142]

Such a pleasure to follow someone making imaginative, well-founded sense of history.

[@brutaldisciplin6805]

I totally agree

[@emmaponymous]

If you're a fan of Mary Beard's work, I recommend her book that this (originally a BBC) documentary series is based on, "SPQR" 🤓 ...Unfortunately the audiobook version is not read by her. Absolute travesty that. 🙃

[@TW-fg4kt]

Imaginative…

[@frankyyaggabot6222]

Yeah ... well that's the problem with Mary: Imagination -> History = !(not) History; and Mary's imagination always appeals to the 'current thing'.

[@OdeInWessex]

@@frankyyaggabot6222 So where are your books on Roman history, where are your degrees, Professorship and PROOF of your learning from prestigious schools? Where is the EVIDENCE of your Scholarship?

[@flutelady101]

If I had 3 wishes, one of them would be to be gifted for a day with Mary's brilliant mind, and walk through Rome being able to read ALL the old words etched in stone.

[@DBEdwards]

Mary Beard reading Latin on epitaphs and monuments and art is always revelation.

[@megw7312]

Ask her what the Lemnos stele says 😂

[@frankyyaggabot6222]

Actually I would delight in that fantasy myself with the condition that Mary was at my side. The juxtaposition between the realities of the Roman World and the picture that exists in Mary's mind would be actually something worth observing.

[@flutelady101]

And if while standing next to Mary, you touch her arm, perhaps it's like being transported through an historic "wormhole" back in time. The people will become alive again....

[@Woodman-Spare-that-tree]

I took Latin at school but I wasn’t clever enough to absorb anything further than the vocabulary. All the declensions and conjugations were above me, sadly.

[@bsaneil]

Very good documentary. A good description of the religious changes in the later Empire. Not a lot, however, about the political collapse and cultural change which brought about the end of the Western Roman Empire...

[@JamesLee-mp8hk]

I'd like to thnak Mary Beard because your book SPQR was of great benefit to me having read it before I read Mommsen's History of Rome. So thanks again.

[@HistoryJunkie]

So many layers to the fall of this empire. Great job pulling all these threads together.

[@DBEdwards]

Mary Beard extraordinary. She is always creative and provocative. I so enjoyed the views of the Northern Gate. Never saw it before. Full of surprises, splendour and wonder. My regret is that when I was to University, I never attended a lecture by Mary Beard. Question. Which is more the treasure? The empire of Rome or she? Answer. Allow me a moment. I'm thinking.

[@doriannewton8440]

In reading the title, I had no idea that Mary was present there at the time or even she's that old. No wonder she's so knowledgeable on the subject!

[@emdiar6588]

LOL. Came to say exactly that. What a difference punctuation makes. One comma after ''Collapse'' and we'd have been saved the confusion.

[@blairhakamies4132]

Excellent again❤

[@mamapetillo8675]

I have to confess; I’m madly, wildly jealous of Ms. Mary Beard, professor and narrating goddess. She gets into so many lovely, rarefied places, and is able to be close to so many wonderful and obscure items from history, I can’t help but be a tad green about it! I’m so grateful that she shares with us. She pockets us and takes us with her, as intimately as is possible, along on her excursions. This is the closest and best I’ll ever experience, as far as having access to these wonderful places and things that teach us so much about ourselves… The small votive figures are absolutely fabulous! So often in her videos, we’re allowed to view things that are simply not on display in museums. But thanks to her, we are allowed to view them. Thank you, dear lady Beard!

[@susiehulcher1494]

Isn’t she just the best?! Pockets us, yes!

[@amandab.recondwith8006]

Gorgeously presented. Mary Beard is one of the historical geniuses of our times.

[@clivebaxter6354]

For the Daily Mail readers perhaps

[@rolandhawken6628]

And a liar or fantasist which ever you prefer. the is in reality very little that exists in evidence to prove what she says , she does not mention immigration and how it culturally diluted Rome

[@clivebaxter6354]

@@rolandhawken6628 Yes she is very woke and even reuses to use BC and AD

[@rolandhawken6628]

@@clivebaxter6354 Glad some one else noticed

[@bradrichards8122]

She is no historian. This borders on fiction.

[@zodwraith5745]

I love that the title is worded like it was her fault. I forgot who Mary was at first and saw it in my feed and thought "OMG what did she DO?!" I still watched of course cause Mary rocks, even if she did bring upon Rome's collapse.

[@juliaforsyth8332]

I read it like that too and got a little chuckle from it.

[@lesliea7394]

Fabulous with a unique perspective!

[@sidsmiff]

This is such a huge and complicated question. Keep watching videos and even better, read lots of books. Understanding this question and its many answers is one of my personal quests. Good luck!

[@lewismcfarland4481]

I suggest The Fate of Rome Climate, Disease, and the End of An Empire by Harper, Kyle as a current idea based on the most current science.

[@megw7312]

The murder - by Gratian - of Macsen Wledig (a.k.a. Magnus Maximus - true heir). 383 a,d.

[@reezagibbons465]

I have look at this via Tv and now KZbin and all seemed fresh and relevant

[@Number6_]

I did not know Mary beard collapsed! I wasn't aware she was as old as the Roman empire. Hopefully she will regain strength.

[@markduncan1477]

Brilliant as usual!

[@donnywolf9250]

Love this channel.....and Love Mary Beard!

[@MariaTorres-hc5uq]

Curious fact: in Portuguese we have a word MAÇADA (the Ç reads like two Ss), it means something boring: a situation, a book, a piece of music, a person is a MAÇADOR male or MAÇADORA female, or anything else that is boring. In the sources I consulted it does come from Masada...no one is really really certain. Best wishes to all from Lisbon Portugal

[@DeannaSt]

As a teenager I sometimes used to dream about what would have been if the Roman Empire lasted up to our days… how would the world look like today…and I always concluded that our advancement and progress would have been infinitely faster, like the trains of Japan are today compared to many other countries…something like that.

[@turtlegrams6582]

🐍🇻🇦🐆🕳️empire has Never departed = KJV Revelation 13: & 17: & 18: , how do you like the way 🐍🇻🇦🐆🕳️1st beast whore,🇺🇸2nd beast and 🐍🇻🇦🐆🕳️ puppets 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇺🇳🌐👣🐙🕸️💉🍕👹 are controlling the 🌐 ?

[@lw3646]

I doubt that, the empire lasted about 800 years but their technology didn't move on that fast, compared that to 1100-1900, massive change.....

[@DeannaSt]

@@lw3646 Technology wasn’t held back by Roman civilisation but by invaders and barbarians and the Christian religion, remember the Inquisition , remember what they did to Galileo Galilei, remember book burning in the public square and the persecution of any scientific research, remember the witch-hunting, the church anathema and curses and control and suppression of all science and philosophy and even music?!? What are you talking about?! The Roman civilisation provided even social housing for some poor concitadines, their “social security system” provided food and vine for the poor, their roads and architecture and aqueducts were second to none then and still are today, their literature and art were as good if not better than everything produced in the next 1000 years to follow, their public libraries and public baths were equaled only 2000 years later. We were pushed 1000 years back by barbarians and Christianity the exact way Putler could push back the world today with his cannon fodder. When barbarians have imperial ambitions, entire civilisations and advancements are destroyed by mind-narrowness, envy, corruption and ideologies of grandeur of such tyrants.

[@kolinaubrey5808]

The Roman Empire fell in 1453 AD, which was less than 600 years ago. Some of the later inventions by Rome after Antiquity is Greek Fire, which was essentially a napalm flamethrower mounted on naval vessels, they also created hand grenades, and the modern fork came from the Roman Empire during the Medieval Age. The Romans also created highly advanced siegeworks in the 10th Century. It wasn't as long ago as you may think.

[@lw3646]

Her documentaries are excellent, especially the one on the Roman slums.

[@sham3al]

Amazing! Thank you, Mary.

[@manofaction1807]

Mary Beard's book is one of the best ones I've read on the subject.

[@tocororo]

12:12. Girl in the back: There is that crazy British lady playing with the pizza again. 😂😂

[@adrianlodzermensch1828]

Just excellent. What finesse and grace at discussing so many really "Byzantine" aspects of the history of Rome. Thank you!

[@lawrenceleong8747]

Bravo! What an impressive documentary. Mary is the quintessential classicist. I could listen to her speak all day.

[@ginilester4490]

Mary Beard's teaching style is great! The videographer and video editor are gifted as well.

[@charlesaeneas]

Marvellous! A great summary of the factors at play 2,000 years ago.

[@wordscapes5690]

Mary Beard is a Roman goddess and should get her own temple!

[@dustinhecker3986]

Excellent. Thank you. One suggestion. Include dates for those of us who can't remember precisely when various things happened in the Roman empire.

[@untrueman]

What a time to be alive. Mary is incredible.

[@DBEdwards]

Indeed.

[@frankyyaggabot6222]

She certainly is ... must be god-awful to be History!

[@OdeInWessex]

@@frankyyaggabot6222 So where are your books on Roman history, where are your degrees, Professorship and PROOF of your learning from prestigious schools? Where is the EVIDENCE of your Scholarship?

[@frankyyaggabot6222]

@@OdeInWessex 😂 Modesty prevents me replying to that ... but if you only knew!

[@captainzork6109]

My god, I had to pause when Mary Beard's husband came on screen. The sheer enthusiasm and joy for the discipline, in addition to that of her own fills my heart

[@paolatrentadue3034]

Interesting video, clear explanation, but in particular,very nice presenter💯💯💯💯

[@ereynoldful3974]

Oh how I love her 💕 She is so excited about Roman History and it's infectious! I know most agree and comment the same but Mary Beard and Joann Fletcher (Egyptologist) are my fave two women in the history field. I love their videos. I'd love to see a filmed lunch with them just talking

[@clivebaxter6354]

The uninformed and easily impressed love her of course!

[@brendouhtredo425]

@@clivebaxter6354 go on then... astound us with your vast knowledge.

[@megw7312]

@@brendouhtredo425 Can she read the hieroglyphs? Can she read old Hebrew? Can she read Cymraeg? Because that’s the language that tells all.

[@bradrichards8122]

@@brendouhtredo425 Careful. She is highly inaccurate. Don't mistake esthetics for credibility.

[@frankyyaggabot6222]

Oh yes ... love always blinds reason and excitement is typically the prelude to nonsense!

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - I’m such a ridiculous Mary Beard groupie that I even embarrass myself at times. It’s the angle Mary looks at history from. Mary shows you what the average citizen was like, how they lived what they ate, how they loved etc. For me this is the most fascinating aspect. To look at historical events through the eyes of its people. It’s all this and, to be honest it’s the clothes that Mary wears. Mary is incredibly knowledgeable but so approachable at the same time. You can imagine having Mary as a neighbour, as a friend or family member. I’m kinda envious of anyone that can clam those things. I’m not saying that she’s perfect, far from it. It’s her “real person” language and appearance that has me listening and learning more than ever before in my life. Thanks HC and thanks Ms Mary Beard. Ha ha I told you that I’m a big fan. I’m gushing and I’m embarrassing myself. ❤

[@Woodman-Spare-that-tree]

Yes when we did history at school it was all about kings and wars. Nothing about the lives of ordinary people. Also no videos of locations or buildings and no Googlemaps. Which is why history at school was so boring. Mary makes history relatable.

[@bertplank9892]

Her choice of footwear is a crime against humanity.

[@scalperjack1]

good lord, i'm so sorry. where are you going to go once you realize that mary beard is an utter fraud, a poor historian, and a creation of the affirmative action state?

[@mariuszczerwinski759]

Wonderfull storytelling thanks very much

[@Stonewall1861]

One of my favorite historians. Thank for explaining what happened at the end Roman Empire. It’s very complicated but you really explained it.

[@clivebaxter6354]

She is a populist historian, not a serious one

[@bradrichards8122]

She is no historian. Anyone with knowledge of the time she is talking about recognizes she is just telling a story. Not quite fiction but in no way history or documentary.

[@clivebaxter6354]

@@bradrichards8122 The ignorant are easily impressed though!

[@frankyyaggabot6222]

Oh good! That's all settled then (note to all Historians on Ancient Rome ... you can go home now)!

[@himoffthequakeroatbox4320]

@@bradrichards8122 She has a PhD from Cambridge, and teaches there. Can't wait to hear what your qualifications are.

[@Otto72ish]

Excellent and I learnt a lot.

[@vickyrubzow710]

That gate is in my mothers home town of Trier Germany. It’s called Porta Negra or Black Gate. My father loved that building and did several oil paintings of it.

[@kikodasilva5338]

It is incredible, so good! I love Mary Beard!!

[@ellenmorrell8332]

Mary, you rock! I love your excitement the way you teach us history

[@adamg393]

That was excellent thanks

[@srjarochito]

Thank you!!!

[@charlesbourgoigne2130]

Marvelous! Answering questions I have had but were never answered; been a while that I saw such a good documentary!

[@doncheechako8084]

More emphasis need to be on the manpower shortages starting in the late 2nd century; the why & how. "THE FATE OF ROME" makes some very convincing arguments. Among many other things, Harper has a very new & different take on why Christianity became the popular religion of the people. A history book for our time as much as a new explanation of Rome's fall.

[@evelyncagle2455]

I do enjoy listening to Mary Beard. I learn so much.

[@katherinecooper6159]

Mary Beard is a great historian and story teller!

[@pupwizard3888]

Ummm, the title of the video was "Why did the Roman Empire Collapse". Anyone notice that she really didn't address the question directly at all? The whole gist of the video was the Roman Empire didn't really go away but just morphed into Christianity? Sigh. No details on the series of Roman civil wars and their impact on Rome's ability to defend itself from barbarian invasion. No discussion of the nightmare consequences of "dividing the empire into smaller pieces" theme. (Like the massive increase in Roman administrative bureaucracies with corresponding increase in taxes) No discussion of the large trade deficits that led to the depletion of physical specie (ie. export of gold/silver to far away lands). No discussion of the crushing tax burden on Romans at the end of the empire, that led many to WELCOME the barbarians, anything to escape the Roman tax machine. No mention of corruption and inefficiency of the later empire. The list goes on and on. Marxists don't actually believe the Roman Empire collapsed, but rather just transitioned into Feudalism as a natural part of the dialectic of history. But the collapse of Rome did occur and it did set civilization back more than a thousand years technologically. (Medicine and engineering for sure, we forgot how to make concrete and toilets for Pete's sake.) This video was a fluff piece PERIOD.

[@buddyrojek9417]

I feel the main reason Rome collapsed is simple bureaucracy running out of funds from a hostile tax base

[@RLeezyDeezy]

The empire. Meaning it stopped being an empire