Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Did the Romans explore the ruined palaces and tombs of earlier civilizations? This video surveys the evidence.

Next spring, I'm leading two group tours:
Tunisia: bestintravelgroup.com/trips/the-roman-ruins-of-tunisia-with-toldinstone
Jordan: trovatrip.com/trip/asia/jordan/jordan-with-garrett-ryan-apr-2027

My new book is now available: amazon.com/Leaky-Aqueducts-Battle-Pigeons-Mystery/dp/1493090607

The Toldinstone Patreon: patreon.com/toldinstone

My other channels: @scenicroutestothepast and @toldinstonefootnotes

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:39 Chance discoveries
1:17 Ancient and modern perspectives
2:11 Greek and Etruscan history
2:56 Pharaonic Egypt
3:32 Mycenaean ruins
4:15 Local views
4:47 Lydia
5:17 Lycia
6:07 Near East
6:31 Whose past?