Episode 4
Mary Beard takes in the mythology, history and archaeology of Rome. In the final episode, Mary tackles the biggest puzzle of all: why, and how, did the Roman Empire fall?
In the fourth and final episode, Mary tackles the biggest puzzle of all: why, and how, did the Roman Empire fall? Surveying the massive walls and fortifications of Britain and Germany, she discovers an empire under pressure, struggling to control its borders.
Mary seeks to redefine our understanding of the so-called 'Barbarian Invasions', but also shows that the Roman Empire was facing even greater challenges from within. Maverick emperors upset all the assumptions of right-thinking Romans, while the traditional religion and beliefs of the Roman state came head to head with the absolute conviction of Jews and Christians. Ultimately, Mary asks whether the Roman Empire was transformed rather than destroyed, and indeed lives on in the world we still see all around us - in our institutions and infrastructure, in the aspirations, methodology and symbolism of many empires since.
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Why did Constantine choose Christianity?
Duration: 02:40
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Mary Beard |
Writer | Mary Beard |
Photographer | Craig Hasting |
Photographer | Marco Rossi |
Photographer | Liam Ayres |
Sound | Timothy Hodge |
Sound | Bill Rudolph |
Location Manager | Oren Rosenfeld |
Location Manager | Munir Akdogan |
Location Manager | Sibel Samli |
Location Manager | Alper Turkkan |
Colourist | Martin Mayos |
On-line editing | Martin Mayos |
Re-recording mixer | Gavin Allingham |
Music | Dowd and Harper |
Production Coordinator | Isabelle Burn |
Production Manager | Claire Smith |
Assistant Producer | Johnny Crockett |
Film Editor | Tracey Joss |
Executive Producer | Martin Davidson |
Executive Producer | Richard Bradley |
Director | Chris Mitchell |
Series Producer | Caterina Turroni |
Production Company | Lion Television |
Broadcasts
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Mary Beard's Ultimate Rome
Mary Beard takes in the history and archaeology of the ancient world.
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Read more about what happened behind the scenes for each episode.