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The Fall of Rome and the End of an Empire with Dr. Dimo Kosmopoulos
Dimosthenis Kosmopoulos

The Fall of Rome and the End of an Empire with Dr. Dimo Kosmopoulos

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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

On August 23rd 476 AD, Flavius Odoacer was proclaimed Rex Gentium (King of the People of Italy). The Western Roman Empire no longer existed. After more than 500 years, the Empire founded by Augustus in the year 27 BC, had fallen. This conversation will explore the fall of this once mighty Roman Empire in a lively and interactive discussion.
The starting point of the principatus since the times of Augustus was the foundation of an empire based on Greek-Roman culture and a community living in peace (Pax Romana) with a permanent army. According to most historians, the decline had started with the reign of Commodus, son of Marcus Aurelius, in the latter half of the second century AD. In 180 AD, Commodus marked the descent "from a kingdom of gold to one of rust and iron", as reported by Cassius Dio.
After the crisis of the 3rd century AD, Rome faced a huge invasion by people coming from the East, and the pressure on the borders became enormous. The Goths were the first to enter the Empire and in the year 378 AD, they obtained an overwhelming victory over the Roman army in the Battle of Hadrianopolis, where the Roman Emperor Valente lost his life. We’ll learn that after this event, the borders of the Empire slowly collapsed and Rome was sacked twice. 
The Fall of Rome was not only due to the so-called “Barbarian invasions”: a military, political, financial, and religious crisis led to the change of culture, to the sunset of civilization, and to the end of the Western Greek-Roman world. We will go through the joint causes of the decline of Rome and the fall of the Western ancient world, trying to answer a question raised by Bryan Ward-Perkins: did Rome ever fall? 
Led by an expert on Roman Archaeology, Dimosthenis Kosmopoulos, this interactive seminar will focus on the history of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with increased knowledge of the causes and the outcome derivated from the fall of Rome.

During his university studies at “La Sapienza” in Rome, Dimosthenis participated in several national and international projects, such as the study of Latin epigraphy and Roman pottery as well as various archaeological excavations in different areas of Rome (Roman Forum, Palatine, Mausoleum of Augustus). His work as an archaeologist brought him to carry out research in classical art and architecture, exploring in particular the relationship between iconography and architecture as ancient Greek and Roman artistic expressions. Dimosthenis completed his Ph.D. with a thesis on temple architecture in the Italian peninsula during the Republican period. This topic became his area of expertise. His knowledge of archaeology, ancient art history and Roman architecture is the key that he uses to share his unique perspective on the Eternal City.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 29 reviews
90%
(26)
7%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
3%
(1)
J
J.E. (Frankfurt am Main, DE)
Excellent Presentation

Dimo is very knowledgeable and presents his knowledge in a very interesting way.

S
S.S. (Washington, US)
The Fall of Rome

Excellent Presentation. Very well structured with an excellent and detailed timeline of events. Add to that the several book references and you have reading material that will last for months!

D
D.M.
Fantastic

Very knowledgeable expert. I enjoyed this learning experience

B
B.M. (Victoria, CA)

Guest did not leave comment

V
V. (San Diego, US)
Outstanding seminar

Dr. Kosmopoulos really pulls off an amazing feat with this fascinating, well-organized, thought-provoking seminar: he takes the long view, bringing us through the course of Roman history so that we understand the Empire's development up till its peak and the decisions made by certain emperors that eventually contributed to the Empire's fall. He also contextualizes the Romans within their world at large so that we see the encroachment by 'barbarians' and their impact, and he discusses other factors as well. Very illuminating. Dr. K is a terrific presenter who kept me engaged and wanting more.

123

Customer Reviews

Based on 29 reviews
90%
(26)
7%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
3%
(1)
J
J.E. (Frankfurt am Main, DE)
Excellent Presentation

Dimo is very knowledgeable and presents his knowledge in a very interesting way.

S
S.S. (Washington, US)
The Fall of Rome

Excellent Presentation. Very well structured with an excellent and detailed timeline of events. Add to that the several book references and you have reading material that will last for months!

D
D.M.
Fantastic

Very knowledgeable expert. I enjoyed this learning experience

B
B.M. (Victoria, CA)

Guest did not leave comment

V
V. (San Diego, US)
Outstanding seminar

Dr. Kosmopoulos really pulls off an amazing feat with this fascinating, well-organized, thought-provoking seminar: he takes the long view, bringing us through the course of Roman history so that we understand the Empire's development up till its peak and the decisions made by certain emperors that eventually contributed to the Empire's fall. He also contextualizes the Romans within their world at large so that we see the encroachment by 'barbarians' and their impact, and he discusses other factors as well. Very illuminating. Dr. K is a terrific presenter who kept me engaged and wanting more.

123