How often do you think about the Roman Empire still being around? Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re going to dive into some speculative history: What if the Roman Empire Never Fell.
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00:00By the second century AD, 85,000 kilometers of paved roads carried their laws,
00:07currency, legions, and beliefs to over 400 nations.
00:12Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're going to dive into some speculative history.
00:17What if the Roman Empire never fell?
00:20Trajan pushes the boundary of Rome to its greatest ever extent,
00:24winning Arabia, Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Dacia.
00:30The Roman Empire, a colossal juggernaut that spanned nearly 500 years,
00:35stands as one of the most influential and enduring civilizations in human history.
00:39Where emperors reign, and gladiators entertain,
00:46sight of luxury, excess.
00:49Emerging from the city-state of Rome in the 8th century BCE,
00:52the empire evolved from a monarchy to a republic, ultimately transforming into
00:57an expansive imperial power that left an indelible mark on the world.
01:08Rome's trajectory began modestly,
01:10but its strategic location and military prowess catapulted it into prominence.
01:15The Roman Republic, established in 509 BCE, was characterized by a system of
01:20checks and balances where power was distributed among elected officials.
01:24The Republic's territorial expansion, driven by a combination of military conquests and alliances,
01:30laid the groundwork for the vast empire that would emerge.
01:33By the 1st century AD, the population of the capital swells to one million,
01:39the largest city the world has ever seen.
01:43By the 1st century BCE, Rome had extended its dominion across the Italian peninsula,
01:49Mediterranean basin, and parts of Western Europe.
01:52The triumphant military campaigns of generals like Julius Caesar and Pompey
01:57brought unprecedented wealth and territory under Roman control.
02:01The zenith of Roman power ushered in the Pax Romana,
02:04a period of relative peace and stability that lasted from 27 BCE to 180 CE.
02:11The Pax Romana is often misunderstood as 200 years without warfare,
02:16but the peace only applied to conflicts between Romans.
02:20During this era, the empire experienced prosperity, flourishing arts, and cultural achievements.
02:26Roman law and governance systems became foundational pillars that influenced subsequent civilizations.
02:31Cities like Alexandria and Ephesus became bustling hubs of commerce,
02:36education, and intellectual exchange.
02:38Alexandria was also antiquity's most modern city,
02:42with a perfect infrastructure, incomparable buildings, and unique technological achievements.
02:49Engineering marvels like the Colosseum and Aqueducts
02:52showcased the Romans' unparalleled architectural achievements.
02:56The Colosseum is instantly recognizable,
02:58and the word itself has come to symbolize the Roman Empire at its greatest.
03:03The empire was a melting pot of diverse cultures, religions, and traditions.
03:08As it expanded, it absorbed and assimilated aspects of the conquered civilizations,
03:13creating a unique synthesis.
03:15Roman gods often merged with deities from conquered territories,
03:19fostering a sense of inclusivity.
03:21Latin became a unifying force.
03:23It was used in administration, governance,
03:26and eventually evolved into the Romance languages that persist today.
03:30The Roman alphabet, derived from the Etruscan script,
03:33was the basis for many modern writing systems.
03:36The empire, despite its grandeur, faced internal and external challenges.
03:41Political instability, economic decline, and military pressures from barbarian invasions
03:47culminated in the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE.
03:57The Eastern Roman Empire, later known as the Byzantine Empire,
04:01endured until 1453 CE.
04:04But what if the Roman Empire never actually fell?
04:07What could have happened in history if it endured?
04:10In the alternate timeline we explore,
04:12Rome's resilience becomes a harbinger of perpetual glory.
04:16Diverging from the historical trajectory in the 3rd and 4th centuries CE,
04:21Rome undergoes a transformative political adaptation.
04:24The leaders of the time, seeing the merits and rewards of sustainable living,
04:28will turn towards technological advancements to better their homeland.
04:32This slight gamble will pay off immensely, initiating a time of plentitude for Romans,
04:37setting it up for success on a global scale.
04:40How do they reach the rest of the world, you ask?
04:42By opening and maintaining trade networks through sea travel,
04:46bringing other places goods and ideas to be reciprocated.
04:50Without the sea and without controlling the trade routes of the sea,
04:53there would have been no empire.
04:54As Rome's coffers swell, the cultural landscape undergoes an alchemical transformation.
05:00The 3rd and 4th centuries CE become a golden age of intellectual exchange,
05:05surpassing the heights of historical epochs.
05:07Libraries, academies, and schools burgeon with ideas, becoming crucibles of innovation.
05:13Philosophers and thinkers create a cultural flowering that permeates every facet of society.
05:19The arts flourish, scientific inquiry thrives,
05:22and the empire becomes a beacon of enlightenment for the known world.
05:26Religion, historically a potent force in shaping Roman identity,
05:30becomes a cornerstone for unity.
05:32Rome embraces religious syncretism, forging harmonious coexistence of diverse beliefs.
05:38The Romans regarded foreign gods as having power over the people who worshipped them.
05:44By bringing them to Rome and housing them in splendor,
05:47Hadrian hoped to transfer their power in their favor to the empire.
05:51While the imperial cult retains its unifying influence,
05:54a rich mosaic of religious traditions flourishes, creating a society where
05:59spiritual exploration harmonizes with intellectual pursuits.
06:03Rome stands as a testament to the enduring strength found in diversity.
06:08The geopolitical landscape of this theoretical world is one of widespread supremacy.
06:13Explorers, driven by insatiable curiosity,
06:17embark on voyages that transcend historical boundaries.
06:20The navy, armed with advanced shipbuilding techniques,
06:24navigates uncharted waters, discovering new lands,
06:27and establishing cultural and trade ties with civilizations in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
06:33Rome becomes a global authority, no longer confined to solely Italy.
06:38In our fictional version of events,
06:40Rome's insatiable thirst for knowledge would necessarily beget a technological renaissance.
06:45Scientific discoveries and engineering feats become the hallmarks of its ingenuity.
06:50So many of the things that the Romans were able to do in their time,
06:54we were not able to do again until we developed new technologies.
06:57Sustainable practices, harnessed through advanced technologies,
07:01lead to the early utilization of steam and hydraulic power.
07:05Rome's technological advancements become a beacon for progress,
07:09setting the stage for an industrial revolution centuries ahead of its historical counterpart.
07:15The military undergoes a radical transformation,
07:18adapting to the evolving dynamics of global politics.
07:21Strategic alliances and technological advancements
07:24lead to the development of highly efficient and disciplined armed forces.
07:28Pioneering early forms of gunpowder weaponry,
07:32Roman legions secure and expand the empire's borders
07:35without succumbing to the historical pitfalls of overextension.
07:39Social progress becomes the cornerstone of this imagined empire.
07:43Emperors institute policies that address social inequalities,
07:47empowering marginalized communities.
07:49Slavery undergoes reform, with gradual emancipation fostering economic vibrancy.
08:01The concept of citizenship evolves, embracing inclusivity and diversity,
08:06creating a society where all are united under the banner of Roman civilization.
08:17As centuries unfold, Rome's legacy transforms the world
08:30into a fundamentally different one from our own.
08:33Latin persists as a lingua franca,
08:36connecting regions under the common thread of Roman civilization.
08:39Its legal principles, philosophy, and governance shape political systems across the globe,
08:45creating a harmonious order rooted in the timeless lessons of Rome's continuous evolution.
08:50It never happened, but it could have.
08:53As we contemplate this imagined world,
08:55we witness the profound impact that Rome might have had on the course of history,
08:59leaving us to marvel at the intricate tapestry woven by the Eternal City across the ages.
09:15you