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
Sitting down today to record for Fall of Civilizations Episode 20!
October 10, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Sitting down today to record for Fall of Civilizations Episode 20!
Really proud Fall of Civilizations has been named a Waterstones paperback of the year. Get it at your local Waterstones!
LINK: www.waterstones.com/book/fall-of...
LINK: www.waterstones.com/book/fall-of...
September 23, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Really proud Fall of Civilizations has been named a Waterstones paperback of the year. Get it at your local Waterstones!
LINK: www.waterstones.com/book/fall-of...
LINK: www.waterstones.com/book/fall-of...
Yes certainly a factor! Yew is great for bows because the heartwood and sapwood act differently under pressure, so it forms a kind of natural composite if you cut it right.
September 11, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Yes certainly a factor! Yew is great for bows because the heartwood and sapwood act differently under pressure, so it forms a kind of natural composite if you cut it right.
Maybe @lukeoneil47.bsky.social is the poet laureate of our times...
September 6, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Maybe @lukeoneil47.bsky.social is the poet laureate of our times...
Some further reading:
- Caligula's Floating Palaces: archive.archaeology.org/0205/abstrac...
- Divers to scour lake for Emperor Caligula's ship: washingtonpost.com/news/worldvi...
The Nemi Ships (U Chicago): penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyc...
- Caligula's Floating Palaces: archive.archaeology.org/0205/abstrac...
- Divers to scour lake for Emperor Caligula's ship: washingtonpost.com/news/worldvi...
The Nemi Ships (U Chicago): penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyc...
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Some further reading:
- Caligula's Floating Palaces: archive.archaeology.org/0205/abstrac...
- Divers to scour lake for Emperor Caligula's ship: washingtonpost.com/news/worldvi...
The Nemi Ships (U Chicago): penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyc...
- Caligula's Floating Palaces: archive.archaeology.org/0205/abstrac...
- Divers to scour lake for Emperor Caligula's ship: washingtonpost.com/news/worldvi...
The Nemi Ships (U Chicago): penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyc...
Today, the ghosts of the Nemi ships live only in their photographs, and the few remaining artefacts that survived the fire.
They form a haunting parable for those who would use the remains of the past for their own ends, while taking no heed of their warnings.
They form a haunting parable for those who would use the remains of the past for their own ends, while taking no heed of their warnings.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Today, the ghosts of the Nemi ships live only in their photographs, and the few remaining artefacts that survived the fire.
They form a haunting parable for those who would use the remains of the past for their own ends, while taking no heed of their warnings.
They form a haunting parable for those who would use the remains of the past for their own ends, while taking no heed of their warnings.
Only some bronzes survived, along with a handful of photographs of the colossal wrecks.
Like Caligula, Mussolini met an ignoble end. Less than a year after the ships burned, he was shot while fleeing Italy in disguise. Two days later, Hitler followed by shooting himself and the war in Europe ended.
Like Caligula, Mussolini met an ignoble end. Less than a year after the ships burned, he was shot while fleeing Italy in disguise. Two days later, Hitler followed by shooting himself and the war in Europe ended.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Only some bronzes survived, along with a handful of photographs of the colossal wrecks.
Like Caligula, Mussolini met an ignoble end. Less than a year after the ships burned, he was shot while fleeing Italy in disguise. Two days later, Hitler followed by shooting himself and the war in Europe ended.
Like Caligula, Mussolini met an ignoble end. Less than a year after the ships burned, he was shot while fleeing Italy in disguise. Two days later, Hitler followed by shooting himself and the war in Europe ended.
On the night of May 31 1944, less than 4 years since Mussolini entered WWII in support of Hitler, Italy was on the brink of defeat, propped up by the Nazis.
It's not known whether the fires started as a result of US artillery or German arson. Either way, the Nemi ships burned.
It's not known whether the fires started as a result of US artillery or German arson. Either way, the Nemi ships burned.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
On the night of May 31 1944, less than 4 years since Mussolini entered WWII in support of Hitler, Italy was on the brink of defeat, propped up by the Nazis.
It's not known whether the fires started as a result of US artillery or German arson. Either way, the Nemi ships burned.
It's not known whether the fires started as a result of US artillery or German arson. Either way, the Nemi ships burned.
He had a huge museum built in 1936 to house the wrecks, so that the public could visit and revel in his triumph.
But Mussolini, like Caligula, would soon face a fitting downfall. And tragically the Nemi ships would follow him into the ashes of history.
But Mussolini, like Caligula, would soon face a fitting downfall. And tragically the Nemi ships would follow him into the ashes of history.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
He had a huge museum built in 1936 to house the wrecks, so that the public could visit and revel in his triumph.
But Mussolini, like Caligula, would soon face a fitting downfall. And tragically the Nemi ships would follow him into the ashes of history.
But Mussolini, like Caligula, would soon face a fitting downfall. And tragically the Nemi ships would follow him into the ashes of history.
For Mussolini, the recovery of the ships had been a significant triumph.
The Italian dictator had long claimed that he would revive the legacy of ancient Rome in the modern day. As the mud-soaked wrecks rose out of lake Nemi, it seemed a good metaphor for this revival.
The Italian dictator had long claimed that he would revive the legacy of ancient Rome in the modern day. As the mud-soaked wrecks rose out of lake Nemi, it seemed a good metaphor for this revival.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
For Mussolini, the recovery of the ships had been a significant triumph.
The Italian dictator had long claimed that he would revive the legacy of ancient Rome in the modern day. As the mud-soaked wrecks rose out of lake Nemi, it seemed a good metaphor for this revival.
The Italian dictator had long claimed that he would revive the legacy of ancient Rome in the modern day. As the mud-soaked wrecks rose out of lake Nemi, it seemed a good metaphor for this revival.
Attempts to restore the Republic after Caligula's death failed. The Roman military ignored the senate and reinstated Imperial monarchy.
But Caligula's barges, at least, went the way of their creator. Their hulls were pierced, they were weighted with stones, and they sank to the lake bottom.
But Caligula's barges, at least, went the way of their creator. Their hulls were pierced, they were weighted with stones, and they sank to the lake bottom.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Attempts to restore the Republic after Caligula's death failed. The Roman military ignored the senate and reinstated Imperial monarchy.
But Caligula's barges, at least, went the way of their creator. Their hulls were pierced, they were weighted with stones, and they sank to the lake bottom.
But Caligula's barges, at least, went the way of their creator. Their hulls were pierced, they were weighted with stones, and they sank to the lake bottom.
Despite their expense, these opulent palaces were afloat for only the briefest time. It seems they were only in use for about one year before Caligula's 4-year reign came to a violent end.
Eventually an alliance of senators and the Praetorian Guard ambushed him in a tunnel and stabbed him to death.
Eventually an alliance of senators and the Praetorian Guard ambushed him in a tunnel and stabbed him to death.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Despite their expense, these opulent palaces were afloat for only the briefest time. It seems they were only in use for about one year before Caligula's 4-year reign came to a violent end.
Eventually an alliance of senators and the Praetorian Guard ambushed him in a tunnel and stabbed him to death.
Eventually an alliance of senators and the Praetorian Guard ambushed him in a tunnel and stabbed him to death.
The expense of the vessels was enormous, with ornamental oar rings and joints in copper and bronze.
The wood was even coated with lead, a costly treatment designed to protect the wood of sea-going vessels from shipworms—here useless, since shipworms don't live in fresh water.
The wood was even coated with lead, a costly treatment designed to protect the wood of sea-going vessels from shipworms—here useless, since shipworms don't live in fresh water.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The expense of the vessels was enormous, with ornamental oar rings and joints in copper and bronze.
The wood was even coated with lead, a costly treatment designed to protect the wood of sea-going vessels from shipworms—here useless, since shipworms don't live in fresh water.
The wood was even coated with lead, a costly treatment designed to protect the wood of sea-going vessels from shipworms—here useless, since shipworms don't live in fresh water.
While excavating at Lake Nemi, Italian archaeologists uncovered vast anchors, bronze mouldings and marble statues from the wrecks.
They found carvings and mosaics, even gilded copper roof tiles that would have shone spectacularly in the sun.
They found carvings and mosaics, even gilded copper roof tiles that would have shone spectacularly in the sun.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
While excavating at Lake Nemi, Italian archaeologists uncovered vast anchors, bronze mouldings and marble statues from the wrecks.
They found carvings and mosaics, even gilded copper roof tiles that would have shone spectacularly in the sun.
They found carvings and mosaics, even gilded copper roof tiles that would have shone spectacularly in the sun.
Until the discovery of the Nemi ships, it was thought that the Romans were incapable of building such large vessels.
Historians had assumed that measurements given for grain-carrying vessels in some ancient sources were exaggerations. The Nemi ships show they may have been real.
Historians had assumed that measurements given for grain-carrying vessels in some ancient sources were exaggerations. The Nemi ships show they may have been real.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Until the discovery of the Nemi ships, it was thought that the Romans were incapable of building such large vessels.
Historians had assumed that measurements given for grain-carrying vessels in some ancient sources were exaggerations. The Nemi ships show they may have been real.
Historians had assumed that measurements given for grain-carrying vessels in some ancient sources were exaggerations. The Nemi ships show they may have been real.
Roman historian Seutonius described the sight of such ships: "ten banks of oars, with sterns set with gems, particoloured sails, huge spacious baths, colonnades, and banquet-halls, and even a great variety of vines and fruit trees; that on board of them he might recline at table from an early hour”
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Roman historian Seutonius described the sight of such ships: "ten banks of oars, with sterns set with gems, particoloured sails, huge spacious baths, colonnades, and banquet-halls, and even a great variety of vines and fruit trees; that on board of them he might recline at table from an early hour”
Caligula had two ships built. The largest, dubbed the "prima nave" (first ship) was an enormous vessel, steered with 11m oars.
The 2nd was a giant floating platform replete with marble palaces, gardens, and even a system of plumbing for baths.
(📷Carlo Cestra carlocestra.com/home.php)
The 2nd was a giant floating platform replete with marble palaces, gardens, and even a system of plumbing for baths.
(📷Carlo Cestra carlocestra.com/home.php)
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Caligula had two ships built. The largest, dubbed the "prima nave" (first ship) was an enormous vessel, steered with 11m oars.
The 2nd was a giant floating platform replete with marble palaces, gardens, and even a system of plumbing for baths.
(📷Carlo Cestra carlocestra.com/home.php)
The 2nd was a giant floating platform replete with marble palaces, gardens, and even a system of plumbing for baths.
(📷Carlo Cestra carlocestra.com/home.php)
Caligula may have built his ships on the tiny Lake Nemi due to its sacred significance, a fitting place for a living divinity.
The lake was known as "Diana's Mirror" since the reflection of the moon on its water could be seen from a temple onshore.
The lake was known as "Diana's Mirror" since the reflection of the moon on its water could be seen from a temple onshore.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Caligula may have built his ships on the tiny Lake Nemi due to its sacred significance, a fitting place for a living divinity.
The lake was known as "Diana's Mirror" since the reflection of the moon on its water could be seen from a temple onshore.
The lake was known as "Diana's Mirror" since the reflection of the moon on its water could be seen from a temple onshore.
Caligula was Emperor for only 4 years, from 37-41 CE. While the first 6 months of his rule passed without incident, he soon became known for his sadism, hedonistic excess and brutality.
He demanded to be worshipped as a living God, and reportedly emptied the imperial treasury in only one year.
He demanded to be worshipped as a living God, and reportedly emptied the imperial treasury in only one year.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Caligula was Emperor for only 4 years, from 37-41 CE. While the first 6 months of his rule passed without incident, he soon became known for his sadism, hedonistic excess and brutality.
He demanded to be worshipped as a living God, and reportedly emptied the imperial treasury in only one year.
He demanded to be worshipped as a living God, and reportedly emptied the imperial treasury in only one year.
From inscriptions on lead pipes and tiles, it soon became clear that what had been discovered were the pleasure barges of the infamous first-century Roman Emperor Caligula.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
From inscriptions on lead pipes and tiles, it soon became clear that what had been discovered were the pleasure barges of the infamous first-century Roman Emperor Caligula.
The ships were vast, far larger than any vessel that had ever been recovered from the ancient would.
The largest was 73 meters (240 ft) in length, the same as an Airbus A380, and measured 24 meters (79 ft) across.
(see workmen in foreground for scale)
The largest was 73 meters (240 ft) in length, the same as an Airbus A380, and measured 24 meters (79 ft) across.
(see workmen in foreground for scale)
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The ships were vast, far larger than any vessel that had ever been recovered from the ancient would.
The largest was 73 meters (240 ft) in length, the same as an Airbus A380, and measured 24 meters (79 ft) across.
(see workmen in foreground for scale)
The largest was 73 meters (240 ft) in length, the same as an Airbus A380, and measured 24 meters (79 ft) across.
(see workmen in foreground for scale)
In the mud, slowly emerging from the waters, the Italian engineers found not one, but two enormous shipwrecks.
The excavations would take years, with the second ship not brought up until 1932.
The excavations would take years, with the second ship not brought up until 1932.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
In the mud, slowly emerging from the waters, the Italian engineers found not one, but two enormous shipwrecks.
The excavations would take years, with the second ship not brought up until 1932.
The excavations would take years, with the second ship not brought up until 1932.
It wasn't until 1929, under the orders of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, that what lay beneath was finally exposed.
Mussolini ordered the whole lake to be drained. As part of the process, engineers reactivated an ancient Roman cistern that together with a pump reduced the water level by 20m.
Mussolini ordered the whole lake to be drained. As part of the process, engineers reactivated an ancient Roman cistern that together with a pump reduced the water level by 20m.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It wasn't until 1929, under the orders of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, that what lay beneath was finally exposed.
Mussolini ordered the whole lake to be drained. As part of the process, engineers reactivated an ancient Roman cistern that together with a pump reduced the water level by 20m.
Mussolini ordered the whole lake to be drained. As part of the process, engineers reactivated an ancient Roman cistern that together with a pump reduced the water level by 20m.
In 1535, Italian inventor Guglielmo de Lorena and his partner returned to the wrecks. With them they brought the latest technology: a diving bell.
Descending through the gloom, they saw an enormous superstructure, and brought up artefacts made of marble and bronze from the lake floor.
Descending through the gloom, they saw an enormous superstructure, and brought up artefacts made of marble and bronze from the lake floor.
September 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
In 1535, Italian inventor Guglielmo de Lorena and his partner returned to the wrecks. With them they brought the latest technology: a diving bell.
Descending through the gloom, they saw an enormous superstructure, and brought up artefacts made of marble and bronze from the lake floor.
Descending through the gloom, they saw an enormous superstructure, and brought up artefacts made of marble and bronze from the lake floor.
Sailing over the waters of Lake Nemi, Colonna confirmed that there was indeed a wreck, a sprawling lattice of wooden beams just visible at a depth of 18.3 meters (60 ft).
His men tried to tear off planks with hooks, but didn't succeed in bringing up anything else of value.
His men tried to tear off planks with hooks, but didn't succeed in bringing up anything else of value.
September 1, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Sailing over the waters of Lake Nemi, Colonna confirmed that there was indeed a wreck, a sprawling lattice of wooden beams just visible at a depth of 18.3 meters (60 ft).
His men tried to tear off planks with hooks, but didn't succeed in bringing up anything else of value.
His men tried to tear off planks with hooks, but didn't succeed in bringing up anything else of value.