The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon : Chapter I The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter I Introduction. The Extent And Military Force Of The Empire In The Age Of The Antonines. In the second century of the Christian Aera, the empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilized… Read the rest of this passage →

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter XLIV Idea Of The Roman Jurisprudence. — The Laws Of The Kings — The Twelve Of The Decemvirs. — The Laws Of The People. — The Decrees Of The Senate. — The Edicts Of The Magistrates And Emperors — Authority Of The Civilians. — Code, Pandects, Novels, And Institutes Of Justinian:— I. Rights Of Persons. — II. Rights… Read the rest of this passage →

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter XIV Troubles After The Abdication Of Diocletian. — Death Of Constantius. — Elevation Of Constantine And Maxen Tius. — Six Emperors At The Same Time. — Death Of Maximian And Galerius. — Victories Of Constantine Over Maxentius And Licinus. — Reunion Of The Empire Under The Authority Of Constantine. The balance of… Read the rest of this passage →

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter XLI Conquests Of Justinian In The West. — Character And First Campaigns Of Belisarius — He Invades And Subdues The Vandal Kingdom Of Africa — His Triumph. — The Gothic War. — He Recovers Sicily, Naples, And Rome. — Siege Of Rome By The Goths. — Their Retreat And Losses. — Surrender Of Ravenna. — Glory Of… Read the rest of this passage →

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter XXXI Invasion Of Italy By Alaric. — Manners Of The Roman Senate And People. — Rome Is Thrice Besieged, And At Length Pillaged, By The Goths. — Death Of Alaric. — The Goths Evacuate Italy. — Fall Of Constantine. — Gaul And Spain Are Occupied By The Barbarians. — Independence Of Britain. The incapacity of a weak… Read the rest of this passage →

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter XLII State Of The Barbaric World. — Establishment Of The Lombards On the Danube. — Tribes And Inroads Of The Sclavonians. — Origin, Empire, And Embassies Of The Turks. — The Flight Of The Avars. — Chosroes I, Or Nushirvan, King Of Persia. — His Prosperous Reign And Wars With The Romans. — The Colchian Or Lazic… Read the rest of this passage →

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter XVIII Character Of Constantine. — Gothic War. — Death Of Constantine. — Division Of The Empire Among His Three Sons. — Persian War. — Tragic Deaths Of Constantine The Younger And Constans. — Usurpation Of Magnentius. — Civil War. — Victory Of Constantius. The character of the prince who removed the seat of… Read the rest of this passage →

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter II Of The Union And Internal Prosperity Of The Roman Empire, In The Age Of The Antonines. It is not alone by the rapidity, or extent of conquest, that we should estimate the greatness of Rome. The sovereign of the Russian deserts commands a larger portion of the globe. In the seventh summer after his passage of… Read the rest of this passage →

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter III Of The Constitution Of The Roman Empire, In The Age Of The Antonines. The obvious definition of a monarchy seems to be that of a state, in which a single person, by whatsoever name he may be distinguished, is intrusted with the execution of the laws, the management of the revenue, and the command of the army.… Read the rest of this passage →

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter VI The Death Of Severus. — Tyranny Of Caracalla. — Usurpation Of Macrinus. — Follies Of Elagabalus. — Virtues Of Alexander Severus. — Licentiousness Of The Army. — General State Of The Roman Finances. The ascent to greatness, however steep and dangerous, may entertain an active spirit with the consciousness and… Read the rest of this passage →

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter V Public Sale Of The Empire To Didius Julianus By The Praetorian Guards — Clodius Albinus In Britain, Pescennius Niger In Syria, And Septimius Severus In Pannonia, Declare Against The Murderers Of Pertinax — Civil Wars And Victory Of Severus Over His Three Rivals — Relaxation Of Discipline — New Maxims Of… Read the rest of this passage →

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter XXV The Government And Death Of Jovian. — Election Of Valentinian, Who Associates His Brother Valens, And Makes The Final Division Of The Eastern And Western Empires. — Revolt Of Procopius. — Civil And Ecclesiastical Administration. — Germany. — Britain. — Africa. — The East. — The Danube. — Death Of Valentinian.… Read the rest of this passage →

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter XIX Constantius Sole Emperor. — Elevation And Death Of Gallus. — Danger And Elevation Of Julian. — Sarmatian And Persian Wars. — Victories Of Julian In Gaul. The divided provinces of the empire were again united by the victory of Constantius; but as that feeble prince was destitute of personal merit, either in… Read the rest of this passage →

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter IV The Cruelty, Follies, And Murder Of Commodus — Election Of Pertinax — His Attempts To Reform The State — His Assassination By The Praetorian Guards. The mildness of Marcus, which the rigid discipline of the Stoics was unable to eradicate, formed, at the same time, the most amiable, and the only defective part… Read the rest of this passage →

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, by Edward Gibbon Chapter XLIII Rebellions Of Africa. — Restoration Of The Gothic Kingdom By Totila. — Loss And Recovery Of Rome. — Final Conquest Of Italy By Narses. — Extinction Of The Ostrogoths. — Defeat Of The Franks And Alemanni. — Last Victory, Disgrace, And Death Of Belisarius. — Death And Character Of Justinian. — Comet,… Read the rest of this passage →