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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.

59 minutes

On TV

Monday 21:00

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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

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