Plagues and the roman empire

[Imperial Dave]

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2414350-plagues-that-shook-the-roman-empire-linked-to-cold-dry-periods/?utm_source=newsshowcase&utm_medium=discover&utm_campaign=CCwqGAgwKg8IACoHCAowyseYCTDXhmwwi8eZAjC8mcoC&utm_content=bullets

Been discussed a few times before but a useful summary

[Nick Harbud]

An interesting article.  I am not entirely convinced about the cause/effect relationship between weather, disease and the fortunes of empires.  IMHO, it is much more complex than we like to imagine.

Incidentally, did you see the link on the page to an article from a couple of years previously regarding a Roman road found at the bottom of the Venice Lagoon?

[Imperial Dave]

yes

bit wet to use though

[Ian61]

I am not entirely convinced about the cause/effect relationship between weather, disease and the fortunes of empires.  IMHO, it is much more complex than we like to imagine.

I think you are quite right about complexity. Unfortunately 'people' as a whole seem to like simple ideas - this happened because of.....' (insert current 'idea of the month'). For books it seems going off the well trodden pathways helps authors stand out from the crowd and therefore get sales. I am reminded by a lecture given to my sixth formers many years ago (I forget who by) but they asked the question "What is a newspaper for?" The students dutifully came up with some worthy suggestions but the ultimate answer they were informed could only be "to make money!"

That said I confess to having thoroughly enjoyed Pathogenesis: How Germs Made History by Jonathan Kennedy. He would probably argue that historians as a class have not traditionally been particularly interested in diseases and have perhaps too quickly disregarded them as factors in history. History is actually complicated - who knew?  

[Imperial Dave]

Butterfly effect

[Nick Harbud]

yes

bit wet to use though

How can anywhere be too wet for a Welshman?   

You just need to break out the Land Rover/tractor/RIB.

[Imperial Dave]

With snorkle