Paul Cooper
@paulmmcooper.com
Novelist & podcast maker｜Wrote River of Ink (2016), All Our Broken Idols (2020), Fall of Civilizations (2024)｜Creator of the Fall of Civilizations Podcast @fallofcivilizations.com
Reposted by Paul Cooper
A recent stones trip to Coldrum long barrow in Kent with @classicalalan.bsky.social - misty, muddy and very atmospheric! This place is 6,000 years old, just so awesome. #StandingStoneSunday
February 8, 2026 at 7:54 AM
A recent stones trip to Coldrum long barrow in Kent with @classicalalan.bsky.social - misty, muddy and very atmospheric! This place is 6,000 years old, just so awesome. #StandingStoneSunday
Reposted by Paul Cooper
its #RuinedPrioryFriday & there's this curious quartet of monastic sites in a crescent around Shrewsbury which deserves a bit of a thread
🧵👇
🧵👇
February 6, 2026 at 10:29 AM
its #RuinedPrioryFriday & there's this curious quartet of monastic sites in a crescent around Shrewsbury which deserves a bit of a thread
🧵👇
🧵👇
Reposted by Paul Cooper
shakespeare was on fire writing the history plays and im not afraid to say it. in henry IV part 2 the king laments that his son will take the throne and "commit the oldest sins the newest kinds of ways" which goes absolutely crazy
January 30, 2026 at 1:46 AM
shakespeare was on fire writing the history plays and im not afraid to say it. in henry IV part 2 the king laments that his son will take the throne and "commit the oldest sins the newest kinds of ways" which goes absolutely crazy
Reposted by Paul Cooper
Just a reminder, the greatest living American historian filmmaker, Ken Burns, released a 720 min exploration of every facet of the American revolution using zero generative AI and paying for all of its assets instead of cobbling it from stolen data, then he gave it away for free on PBS this year.
First trailer for Darren Aranofsky's new AI animated series 'On This Day... 1776'
• Tells short narrative stories about the Revolutionary War
• Uses Gen AI tools, including tech made by Google DeepMind
• Has SAG voice actors
• Tells short narrative stories about the Revolutionary War
• Uses Gen AI tools, including tech made by Google DeepMind
• Has SAG voice actors
January 29, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Just a reminder, the greatest living American historian filmmaker, Ken Burns, released a 720 min exploration of every facet of the American revolution using zero generative AI and paying for all of its assets instead of cobbling it from stolen data, then he gave it away for free on PBS this year.
Reposted by Paul Cooper
Cropped up in my phone memories, it makes me smile every time I see it - @paulmmcooper.com doing a casual drive-by on poets (and writers more broadly) in the middle of a really tense and climactic scene (from his excellent River of Ink).
January 28, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Cropped up in my phone memories, it makes me smile every time I see it - @paulmmcooper.com doing a casual drive-by on poets (and writers more broadly) in the middle of a really tense and climactic scene (from his excellent River of Ink).
Reposted by Paul Cooper
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
January 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
Reposted by Paul Cooper
me? oh yeah, fine. I'm doing great. just sort of left my body for a second to observe the current moment and my place in it from a high angle, sort of like what I imagine you'd see from a spy satellite? but one that can look through time? but yeah, I'll have that report done by the end of the day
January 27, 2026 at 5:26 PM
me? oh yeah, fine. I'm doing great. just sort of left my body for a second to observe the current moment and my place in it from a high angle, sort of like what I imagine you'd see from a spy satellite? but one that can look through time? but yeah, I'll have that report done by the end of the day
Reposted by Paul Cooper
If you're living somewhere outside the USA, one thing you can do is pressure your leaders to boycott World Cup and Olympic events here.
January 24, 2026 at 8:29 PM
If you're living somewhere outside the USA, one thing you can do is pressure your leaders to boycott World Cup and Olympic events here.
Knowing all the thousands of texts that have been lost from the ancient world, it must sting to be Pelagius and have one calling you a "portly Scot, stuffed with Scottish porridge" survive into the archive
January 23, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Knowing all the thousands of texts that have been lost from the ancient world, it must sting to be Pelagius and have one calling you a "portly Scot, stuffed with Scottish porridge" survive into the archive
The living carcass of the American empire, flesh decaying on its bones
January 22, 2026 at 4:43 PM
The living carcass of the American empire, flesh decaying on its bones
Reposted by Paul Cooper
Reposted by Paul Cooper
Stark and otherworldly - sunset at Mitchell’s Fold, the Bronze Age stone circle on Stapeley Hill. I got this shot at the tail end of a blizzard, when the sky took on a golden glow that made a spectacular contrast with the snow-covered landscape. It was every bit as cold as it looks. #Shropshire
January 4, 2026 at 8:12 AM
Stark and otherworldly - sunset at Mitchell’s Fold, the Bronze Age stone circle on Stapeley Hill. I got this shot at the tail end of a blizzard, when the sky took on a golden glow that made a spectacular contrast with the snow-covered landscape. It was every bit as cold as it looks. #Shropshire
Reposted by Paul Cooper
This place never fails to amaze - The Temple of Jupiter in Dougga, Tunisia, built ~166 AD!
How is this still standing, after so many years!?
🙋♂️ Me for scale!
#RomanSiteSaturday #archaeology #photooftheday 🏺
How is this still standing, after so many years!?
🙋♂️ Me for scale!
#RomanSiteSaturday #archaeology #photooftheday 🏺
December 27, 2025 at 1:14 PM
This place never fails to amaze - The Temple of Jupiter in Dougga, Tunisia, built ~166 AD!
How is this still standing, after so many years!?
🙋♂️ Me for scale!
#RomanSiteSaturday #archaeology #photooftheday 🏺
How is this still standing, after so many years!?
🙋♂️ Me for scale!
#RomanSiteSaturday #archaeology #photooftheday 🏺
Reposted by Paul Cooper
Heard a lot of you chatting shit about Newgrange, and I'll admit it's a solid B-tier henge, but Avebury is the thinking man's henge - it encircles a large part of a village. You can live in a henge.
December 21, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Heard a lot of you chatting shit about Newgrange, and I'll admit it's a solid B-tier henge, but Avebury is the thinking man's henge - it encircles a large part of a village. You can live in a henge.
Reposted by Paul Cooper
Episode 20 is now available with video!
With maps, reenactments and beautiful aerial footage, find out how the world of Achaemenid Persian empire rose, flourished and finally fell.
With maps, reenactments and beautiful aerial footage, find out how the world of Achaemenid Persian empire rose, flourished and finally fell.
20. Persia - An Empire in Ashes
YouTube video by Fall of Civilizations
youtu.be
December 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Episode 20 is now available with video!
With maps, reenactments and beautiful aerial footage, find out how the world of Achaemenid Persian empire rose, flourished and finally fell.
With maps, reenactments and beautiful aerial footage, find out how the world of Achaemenid Persian empire rose, flourished and finally fell.
Reposted by Paul Cooper
I’ve posted this before but the light was perfect today- a little Victorian cat paw in a brick at the front of the old Norfolk & Norwich Hospital. As this is on the front-facing corner of the main gates, the bricklayer quite clearly put it there on purpose, at a height where children would spot it.
December 10, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I’ve posted this before but the light was perfect today- a little Victorian cat paw in a brick at the front of the old Norfolk & Norwich Hospital. As this is on the front-facing corner of the main gates, the bricklayer quite clearly put it there on purpose, at a height where children would spot it.
Reposted by Paul Cooper
Isn’t it wonderful to think that you could bring someone from 2000 years ago to visit their home today - and while so much has changed, to topography - and the very reason for its location - are still the same!
Beneath the #Wiltshire Medieval hilltop town of Malmesbury lies a 9ha Iron Age hillfort
Here looking east:
Now (© Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard) and then (© Athelstan Museum)
A wee thread for #HillfortsWednesday 🧵👇
Here looking east:
Now (© Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard) and then (© Athelstan Museum)
A wee thread for #HillfortsWednesday 🧵👇
December 10, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Isn’t it wonderful to think that you could bring someone from 2000 years ago to visit their home today - and while so much has changed, to topography - and the very reason for its location - are still the same!
Reposted by Paul Cooper
The Carnassarie Standing Stones, situated near Carnassarie Castle in Argyll. A large Bronze Age cairn lies some 150 metres to the north of the stones. 📸 My own. #StandingStoneSunday #Prehistory #Argyll
November 30, 2025 at 7:30 AM
The Carnassarie Standing Stones, situated near Carnassarie Castle in Argyll. A large Bronze Age cairn lies some 150 metres to the north of the stones. 📸 My own. #StandingStoneSunday #Prehistory #Argyll
Reposted by Paul Cooper
Cried over Aeschylus at the airport ✅
⛰️🏔️ Episode 20 is now live! 🏔️⛰️
In this episode, we look at the amazing story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
Find out how the world's largest empire rose, flourished, and finally fell in ash and flame.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRYd...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6AeH...
In this episode, we look at the amazing story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
Find out how the world's largest empire rose, flourished, and finally fell in ash and flame.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRYd...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6AeH...
November 24, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Cried over Aeschylus at the airport ✅
Reposted by Paul Cooper
Lovely afternoon wander round the substantial remains of Bury St Edmunds Abbey....
November 22, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Lovely afternoon wander round the substantial remains of Bury St Edmunds Abbey....
Reposted by Paul Cooper
Since Christmas is coming up, we're doing another limited run of signed Fall of Civilizations books!
I can write a dedication to whoever you like, so it's the perfect gift for a Fall of Civs fan in your life... Hurry as I'm afraid supply is limited!
LINK: www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/fall-...
I can write a dedication to whoever you like, so it's the perfect gift for a Fall of Civs fan in your life... Hurry as I'm afraid supply is limited!
LINK: www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/fall-...
November 20, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Since Christmas is coming up, we're doing another limited run of signed Fall of Civilizations books!
I can write a dedication to whoever you like, so it's the perfect gift for a Fall of Civs fan in your life... Hurry as I'm afraid supply is limited!
LINK: www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/fall-...
I can write a dedication to whoever you like, so it's the perfect gift for a Fall of Civs fan in your life... Hurry as I'm afraid supply is limited!
LINK: www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/fall-...
Reposted by Paul Cooper
A walk through the stone defences of Mither Tap, Bennachie in Aberdeenshire for #HillfortsWednesday
I believe occupied in the early Middle Ages, don’t know how far it goes back? Whenever it was, I hope it was less windy than now.
I believe occupied in the early Middle Ages, don’t know how far it goes back? Whenever it was, I hope it was less windy than now.
November 19, 2025 at 10:16 AM
A walk through the stone defences of Mither Tap, Bennachie in Aberdeenshire for #HillfortsWednesday
I believe occupied in the early Middle Ages, don’t know how far it goes back? Whenever it was, I hope it was less windy than now.
I believe occupied in the early Middle Ages, don’t know how far it goes back? Whenever it was, I hope it was less windy than now.
I'll be at the Folkestone Book Festival next week talking about Fall of Civilizations, my book and why societies rise and fall. Come and join me!
www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/whats-on/pau...
www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/whats-on/pau...
November 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
I'll be at the Folkestone Book Festival next week talking about Fall of Civilizations, my book and why societies rise and fall. Come and join me!
www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/whats-on/pau...
www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/whats-on/pau...
Reposted by Paul Cooper
⛰️🏔️ Episode 20 is now live! 🏔️⛰️
In this episode, we look at the amazing story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
Find out how the world's largest empire rose, flourished, and finally fell in ash and flame.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRYd...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6AeH...
In this episode, we look at the amazing story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
Find out how the world's largest empire rose, flourished, and finally fell in ash and flame.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRYd...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6AeH...
November 12, 2025 at 3:13 PM
⛰️🏔️ Episode 20 is now live! 🏔️⛰️
In this episode, we look at the amazing story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
Find out how the world's largest empire rose, flourished, and finally fell in ash and flame.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRYd...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6AeH...
In this episode, we look at the amazing story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
Find out how the world's largest empire rose, flourished, and finally fell in ash and flame.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRYd...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6AeH...
Reposted by Paul Cooper
⛰️🏔️ Episode 20 is now available for all subscribers! 🏔️⛰️
In this episode, we look at the amazing story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
With readings in Old Persian and Ancient Greek, find out how the world's largest empire rose, flourished, and finally fell in ash and flame.
In this episode, we look at the amazing story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
With readings in Old Persian and Ancient Greek, find out how the world's largest empire rose, flourished, and finally fell in ash and flame.
20. Persia - An Empire in Ashes **Now available for subscribers!** | Fall of Civilizations Podcast
Get more from Fall of Civilizations Podcast on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:17 PM
⛰️🏔️ Episode 20 is now available for all subscribers! 🏔️⛰️
In this episode, we look at the amazing story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
With readings in Old Persian and Ancient Greek, find out how the world's largest empire rose, flourished, and finally fell in ash and flame.
In this episode, we look at the amazing story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
With readings in Old Persian and Ancient Greek, find out how the world's largest empire rose, flourished, and finally fell in ash and flame.