[edwardbernays]

So is the idea that widespread lead exposure led to the decline of the Roman empire largely pop science? Are you saying that's not accurate, or that the source of the lead exposure is miscounted?

[Quarrel]

Yes, that is the modern understanding. Widespread lead exposure had very little / nothing to do with the decline the Roman Empire.

[Isamu]

Plus to prove the lead connection you have to discount the centuries of Roman dominance and growth during which lead exposure was common.

[yawboakye]

there are many ways to account for the fall of the roman empire, and everyone chooses their favorite (usually depending on where their interest bends). for example, it could be explained by the increased usage of mercenaries in the roman army. i like this theory because the fall was brought by losses to renegade forces. it could also be explained by bad leadership.

[throawaywpg]

"Decadence" likely had nothing to do with the Roman Empire's fall. That theory is based essentially on propaganda, designed to absolve them of blame.

The lead pipes had too much calcification, and not much lead would have leached out. But the Romans did use lead acetate as a sweetener, so they were adding lead directly to many (most?) of their meals.