Explore the Roman Empire's thousand-year journey from climate-blessed superpower to environmental collapse. Discover daily life, corrupt Caesars, and how nature ultimately brought down history's greatest civilization.

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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

Lena: Hey everyone, welcome back to your personalized podcast from BeFreed! I'm Lena, and I'm here with Eli, and we are absolutely thrilled to dive into one of history's most fascinating civilizations today.
Eli: That's right! And wow, what a journey we have ahead of us. We're talking about the Roman Empire-not just the battles and conquests everyone knows about, but the full human story. From daily life in cramped apartment buildings to the ecological forces that ultimately brought down this massive civilization.
Lena: Exactly. I mean, when you think about it, Rome lasted over a thousand years if you count the eastern empire. That's longer than most countries have even existed! So what made it work, and what finally made it fall?