How lead (maybe) caused the downfall of ancient Rome
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Reactions Science Videos | June 23, 2021
Ancient Rome’s emperors did some pretty bizarre stuff — bursting into uncontrollable fits of laughter, appointing a horse as a priest, dressing in animal skins and attacking people … the list goes on. Why were they acting that way? Well, it might have been lead poisoning. In this week’s episode, we unwrap the possibility that lead caused the Roman Empire’s collapse.
Sources:
Why ancient Rome kept choosing bizarre and perverted emperors
Neuronal Calcium Signaling
The cationic (calcium and lead) and enzyme conundrum
Pb Neurotoxicity: Neuropsychological Effects of Lead Toxicity
Lead and Lead Poisoning from Antiquity to Modern Times
The Exposure of Some Romano-British Populations to Lead
Lead in ancient human bones and its relevance to historical developments of social problems with lead
Enhanced methods for assessment of the trace element composition of Iron Age bone
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Lead Chemistry
Why lead is dangerous, and the damage it does
Lead poisoning and health
Tracking Roman lead sources using lead isotope analysis. A case study from the imperial rural estate at Vagnari (Puglia, Italy)
Lead between the lines
Lead in ancient Rome’s city waters
Lead poisoning and the fall of Rome
Deadly lead: how lead poisoning affected the Roman Empire
Londinium Romans’ blood lead levels so high they may have lowered birth rates
Lead: Versatile Metal, Long Legacy
Ancient Roman Metal Used for Physics Experiments Ignites Science Feud
ScienceShot: Did Lead Poisoning Bring Down Ancient Rome?
Elevated lead exposure in Roman occupants of Londinium: New evidence from the archaeological record
Saturnine Gout among Roman Aristocrats — Did Lead Poisoning Contribute to the Fall of the Empire?
The deadly biology of lead exposure
Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Charged In Flint Water Crisis
Produced by the American Chemical Society.
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