The Fate of Rome: Climate, Disease, and the End of an Empire

Kyle Harper

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Chronicling the journey through Helena’s book recs.

Summary

Edition: Hardcover, Princeton
Page Count: 304
Purchase Link

Although I had been briefly exposed to the argument that the fall of the Roman Empire had quite a lot to do with disease and non-anthropomorphic climate change, this book was the first time it was prosecuted in detail. Harper is an engaging writer. He covers both a surprising breadth of Roman history in the book as well as a surprising depth of scientific evidence. The book’s purpose is not to make the case that humanity currently deals with a similar threat, but it is a strong reminder that history tends to repeat itself, especially when that history is one of nature’s wrath.