The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Abridged Edition

Edward Gibbon  

Published 1776-89  

The Well-Educated Mind Histories

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Check out the chunkiness of the abridged version of this book! It was originally published in six volumes, but I am grateful to have had the whole thing between two covers, and abridged.

This work was beyond impressive, thanks to Gibbon's superb writing style. It is a history of Western Civilization, from AD 98 until 1590, with fascinating detail given to Ancient Rome, Medieval Europe, Byzantium, the Crusades, the barbaric invasions, and a comprehensive historical review of Christianity and Islam.

It took me two and a half months to read, which was not adequate time to spend on such a brilliant work of important history. Someday when I reread this - because I absolutely must - it would be better to stretch it out for at least a year. It is massive in content and context. Unfortunately, because I read quickly, I am not prepared to give an extensive review. 

In a general answer to the question, "Why did the Roman Empire decline and fall?" Gibbon made the argument that Rome's power grew too massive, became ensnared in corruption, and meddled unnecessarily in the Middle East. (This sounds so much like America today.) Furthermore, Gibbon blamed the spread of Christianity (more specifically, the Roman Church) for the decline of Rome. He also gave a positively raving history of Muhammad and the rise of Islam. 

Gibbon, who published the first volume during America's revolution and birth, in 1776, mentioned the new nation once (that I recall) to demonstrate that the Europeans carried Rome's principles to the Americas, where he hoped liberty would continue. Liberty was a principle Gibbon esteemed above all else. 

Furthermore, I want to share the first paragraph of chapter one because I think it parallels our current age, specifically America, which has frequently been compared to the Roman Empire. Gibbon writes:

In the second century of the Christian Era, the empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilized portion of mankind. The frontiers of that extensive monarchy were guarded by ancient renown and disciplined valour. The gentle, but powerful influence of laws and manners had gradually cemented the union of the provinces. Their peaceful inhabitants enjoyed and abused the advantages of wealth and luxury. The image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence. The Roman senate appeared to posses the sovereign authority, and devolved on the emperors all the executive powers of government. During a happy period of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines. It is the design of this, and of the two succeeding chapters, to describe the prosperous condition of their empire; and afterwards, from the death of Marcus Antoninus, to deduce the most important circumstances of its decline and fall; a revolution which will ever be remembered, and is still felt by the nations of the earth. 

This is interesting because America enjoys and abuses great wealth and luxury and has the appearance of a representative government operating under a free constitution, all for the cause of liberty. But our liberties are eroding, if not through voluntary relinquishment, in exchange for a sense of security, excessive affluence, and abundant entertainment, just as the Romans desired. And also like the Romans, America is troubled over what to do about the massive influx of immigrants, is still entangled in the Middle East, and Christianity is nevertheless at odds with Islam (although Christianity is rapidly declining in America). 

Gibbon used extensive historical resources to support his arguments and ideas. Though he never made reference (that I can remember), I wonder if he ever read City of God, by Augustine, who rejected earlier arguments that Christianity was the demise of Rome. If I did not know any better, I would say Gibbon wrote this tome in response to Augustine. 

One last thing about this: Gibbon knew how to write well. This history does not read like a boring history text. It reads like a story. Gibbon takes liberty with his adjectives, and it is beautiful. Unfortunately, his choice of adjectives often exposed his personal opinions about a particular person or event; he wore his biases on his sleeve, but it did not spoil the overall experience for me.

  

SHOULD YOU READ THIS?

You have heard it said, "History repeats itself," and "One thing we learn from history is that no one learns from history." Well, this ignorance has to stop, and that is why you have to read this and learn from it. Do not be intimidated because it is history. This is essential history, well written. It is one of those works that makes you rethink the way you think about the history you have been taught. It forces you to put aside your own preconceived ideas, if only for a moment. And I cannot stress enough how beautifully well written it is. You will not see history the same again.