
Matthew Avitabile
Matthew is a history professor at his alma maters of SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Oneonta. He served as mayor of his hometown of Middleburgh, NY, from 2012 to 2020.
Articles by Matthew Avitabile

The fall of Rome was not a foregone conclusion. See how an underrated Roman came extraordinarily close to saving the Empire.

Majorian was the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire to make a heroic effort to keep Rome together.
Majorian was the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire to make a heroic effort to keep Rome together.

As the Mongol Empire entered into serious decline across much of Eurasia, there was one major effort to reunite Genghis Khan’s former empire under Tamerlane.
As the Mongol Empire entered into serious decline across much of Eurasia, there was one major effort to reunite Genghis Khan’s former empire under Tamerlane.

After a period of turbulence, the Battle of Milvian Bridge became the decisive factor in the Roman Empire’s conversion to Christianity.
After a period of turbulence, the Battle of Milvian Bridge became the decisive factor in the Roman Empire’s conversion to Christianity.

Despite the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE, Justinian I made a concerted effort to save the city in the 6th century.
Despite the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE, Justinian I made a concerted effort to save the city in the 6th century.

Genghis Khan once struck fear into much of the known world. However, there was a side of him that surprises historians to this day.

Despite about 2,000 years between them, there are quite a few things the United States shares with the ancient Rome’s Republic and Empire.
Despite about 2,000 years between them, there are quite a few things the United States shares with the ancient Rome’s Republic and Empire.