In this episode of History 102, Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg explore the rise of Rome, from its origins as a small settlement in Central Italy to becoming a dominant force in the known world, drawing parallels between historical events and modern-day societal patterns. They discuss themes of decadence, social cohesion, and the cyclical nature of civilizations. - SPONSORS: BEEHIIV | PLUMB Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 to https://Beehiiv.com and use code “MOZ” for 20% off your first three months Plumb is a no-code AI app builder designed for product teams who care about quality and speed. What is taking you weeks to hand-code today can be done confidently in hours. Check out https://bit.ly/PlumbTCR for early access. – Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more, Spotify Apple – This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]. – FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @eriktorenberg (Erik) @TurpentineMedia – TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (01:26) Rise of Rome (02:02) The Influence of Greek Civilization on the Latins (05:09) The Romans: From City-State to Empire (16:41) Sponsors: Harmonic | Plumb (36:13) The Punic Wars: Rome's Defining Battles (48:35) Rome's Expansion East and the Fall of Carthage (54:12) Reflections and Recommendations on Roman History (56:25) Closing Thoughts and Next Episode Teaser (56:09) Wrap – Recommended Books: Will Durant's Caesar and Christ: A History of Roman Civilization and of Christianity from Their Beginnings to A.D. 325 (Story of Civilization) Greg Woolf's Rome: An Empire's Story Numa Denis Fustel de Coulanges'  The Ancient City: A Study of the Religion, Laws, and Institutions of Greece and Rome Tom Holland's Rubicon Recommended Podcast: Dan Carlin's Hardcore History 21-23 – Punic Nightmares Series