S8 Ep1123: Headline: Roman Stability, the Horse, and the Fragility of Empires Guest: Professor Peter Frankopan Book Title: The Earth Transfo

The John Batchelor Show · Jul 13, 2026 · 12m

Headline: Roman Stability, the Horse, and the Fragility of Empires Guest: Professor Peter Frankopan Book Title:The Earth Transformed: An Untold History During the Roman Warm Period, Rome benefited from nearly 300 years of environmental stability, which Frankopan characterizes as "getting lucky." This period of low volcanic activity allowed for predictable budgets, institutional growth, and the city's transformation from brick to marble. However, the narrative shifts to the "magical" role of the horse in Central Asia. Frankopan describes horses as sacred animals and military assets that…