The Fate of Rome

Outline

The Fate of Rome (2017) offers a new explanation for the fall of the Roman Empire, focusing on the role of climate change and disease. Kyle Harper shows how a period of favourable climate helped Rome grow, while cooling temperatures and devastating pandemics later weakened its population, economy, and army. The book reveals how nature shaped one of history’s greatest empires.

• Kyle Harper offers a new explanation for Rome's fall that gives climate change and disease a central role.
• A period of favourable climate helped Rome grow into one of history's greatest empires.
• Later, cooling temperatures weakened the empire's population, economy, and army.
• Devastating pandemics added to the strain and helped bring down Roman power.
• Politics and wars also played a part, combining with natural forces to end the empire.

Kyle Harper is an American historian and professor of classics and letters at the University of Oklahoma, where he has also served in senior academic leadership. He specialises in the history of the Roman Empire and the relationship between environment, disease, and human history. His books include The Fate of Rome and Plagues upon the Earth.