The Western Story: Episode 4

Episode 4 The Synthesis of Judaism, Christianity and Classical Learning
Hosted by Victor Davis Hanson

Why did Western civilization survive the fall of Rome? The answer, in part, is that Rome had become Christianized, thus infusing Western civilization with a Judeo-Christian spirituality that appealed to the Northern European “barbarians.” In embracing Christianity, the barbarians embraced Rome too, even as they destroyed its empire. The synthesis with Judaism and Christianity assured the West’s survival.