The eruptions happened in 563 AD? That is almost a century ~after~ what it regarded as the "Fall of Rome". Italy was being governed by Germans, at that point. W

The eruptions happened in 563 AD? That is almost a century ~after~ what it regarded as the "Fall of Rome". Italy was being governed by Germans, at that point. What a clickbaity title. Maybe it made life harder for Constantinople, but the eastern empire was getting hammered on all sides just like the west, but managed to hang on. FYI, I've really enjoyed the History of Rome and the History of Byzantium podcasts. http://thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/ http://thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/ http://thehistoryofbyzantium.com/ http://thehistoryofbyzantium.com/