Modern science reveals the environmental forces that have shaped human history.

This series explores how cutting-edge science is changing the way we think about the ancient past - restoring the environment to its place as a key driver of human history.

Throughout the series, top historians and archaeologists share with us how new collaborations with the scientific community, and a host of new data on the state of our planet, is providing them with fresh insights on how climate, disease and vulcanism have affected the course of human history.

With the help of top scientists and historians including Kyle Harper author of bestseller The Fate of Rome we look into what science is now telling us about the impact of disease in toppling the Roman Empire.