It's going to hear with another episode of the History on Plug Podcast.

According to Plutarch, the key to the Roman Empire's success was the assimilation

of those that it conquered.

Rome was able to absorb conquered peoples, turn them into Romans, and take parts of their culture

that were valuable and incorporated into the Roman whole.

But something happened by the late fourth and fifth centuries

where this system of assimilation broke down.

It only took a single generation for the centuries old Roman Empire to fall.

In those decades,

while Christians and pagans, legions, generals and politicians

fought over dwindling scraps of power, two men, who were former comrades on the battlefield,

rose to prominence. They were Roman general Flavius Stilicho, who wanted to restore Rome to its imperial glory,

but found himself struggling for his life against his foe Alleric, King of the Gods.

Alleric fought Rome, later became its ally, and wanted to lead the entire military, but was rejected and eventually became its enemy, ultimately sacking Rome in 410.

This was the trigger that led to the downfall of the Roman Empire in 476.

Today's guest is Don Hallway, author of At the Gates of Rome, the fall of the Eternal City

AD-410.

We look at the battles, the betrayal, and the political maneuvering that led to the fall of Rome in the 5th century,

whether it really was a decisive fall or a slow evolution from what the empire was into medieval Europe

and whether there are any lessons for today.

Hope enjoy this discussion with Don Hallway.

And one more thing before we get started with this episode,

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