The Youtuber “EmperorTigerstar” specializes in documenting the unfolding of world historical events by stitching together hundreds of maps into timelapse films. In years past, we’ve featured his “map animations” of the U.S. Civil War (1861–1865), World War I (1914–1918), and World War II (1939–1945). Today, we’re highlighting a more ambitious project, an attempt to visually document the rise and fall of the Romans. The video covers 2,000 years of history, in just ten minutes.
Moving from 753 BC to 1479 AD, the animated map shows Rome’s territorial boundaries changing as the Roman Kingdom morphs into the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire. Then the gravity of history takes over and we experience the gradual decline of Roman civilization. We see the bifurcation that splits the Empire into Western and Eastern (Byzantine) parts, until only a little piece remains.
If you would like to sign up for Open Culture’s free email newsletter, please find it here. Or follow our posts on Threads, Facebook and BlueSky.
If you would like to support the mission of Open Culture, consider making a donation to our site. It’s hard to rely 100% on ads, and your contributions will help us continue providing the best free cultural and educational materials to learners everywhere. You can contribute through PayPal, Patreon, and Venmo (@openculture). Thanks!
Related Content:
The History of Ancient Rome in 20 Quick Minutes: A Primer Narrated by Brian Cox
The Splendid Book Design of the 1946 Edition of Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
An 8‑Minute Animated Flight Over Ancient Rome
How to Make Roman Concrete, One of Human Civilization’s Longest-Lasting Building Materials
This was great! I’m on my third go around on Edward Gibbons history, and it moves around a little in time and location to keep the narrative so it is wonderful to see it with time and place unfolding together as they did.
Barbarian today, Holy Roman Emperor tomorrow, there is hope for us all!