Colosseum: Rise and Fall

Archaeologists conduct investigations at ruin sites across Austria, Tunisia and Rome, piecing together evidence that reveals how the empire fell. Their fieldwork in these three regions uncovers the narrative of the empire’s collapse, linking disparate archaeological findings into a coherent story.

The Fall is a programme presented as an episode‑length documentary. It follows a conventional format, guiding viewers through a series of investigative segments that are tied together by a single historical enquiry. The series is structured around on‑location reporting and fieldwork, offering a clear, step‑by‑step look at the research process. In this instalment, a team of archaeologists sets out on a journey that spans three distinct sites. Their investigations lead them to the ancient ruins scattered across Austria, the desert remnants found in Tunisia, and the historic layers uncovered in Rome. At each location, the specialists examine the material evidence, drawing connections that gradually reveal the broader narrative. The work carried out at these three locales forms a cohesive picture of a once‑vast empire in decline. By comparing the architectural fragments, artefacts and burial sites from Austria, Tunisia and Rome, the researchers piece together the sequence of events that marked the empire’s downfall. Their findings illustrate how regional disturbances and structural weaknesses converged to bring about the collapse. Through this cross‑continental approach, the episode demonstrates how archaeology can reconstruct the final chapters of a civilisation. The investigators’ combined efforts across the Austrian, Tunisian and Roman ruins ultimately bring the story of the empire’s collapse into clearer focus, offering viewers a concise account of how the once‑powerful realm fell apart.