Gregory Aldrete: The Roman Empire - Rise and Fall of Ancient Rome | Lex Fridman Podcast #443

This podcast episode features a conversation between historian Gregory Aldrete and Lex Fridman. Aldrete specializes in the history of ancient Rome, particularly Roman military history, and he uses this expertise to explain the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. He argues that Rome’s early success was based on its ability to constantly replenish its armies with Italian allies. The podcast also discusses how the Romans were deeply obsessed with their ancestors, which greatly influenced their political culture. Aldrete explains how the Romans adapted their military strategy to their enemies and conquered the Mediterranean basin, including the Greek world, before eventually transitioning into an empire. The conversation further examines the role of slavery in Roman society, the importance of Roman law, and the lasting influence of emperors like Augustus. The episode ends with a discussion about how history often repeats itself and the importance of learning from the past to make good decisions about the future.