Did Christianity Cause the Fall of Rome
Summary
This episode explores the debate over whether Christianity caused the fall of the Western Roman Empire, contrasting pagan accusations of divine abandonment with Christian defenses from Augustine and Orosius. It examines the empire’s pre-existing structural weaknesses, including economic inflation, political instability, and military reliance on barbarian mercenaries, which left the state vulnerable to external pressures. The narrative details the catastrophic impact of Germanic invasions, such as the Visigothic sack of 410 and the Vandal conquest of North Africa, which severed vital grain s…
Listen ad-free on Castria