The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Penguin Classics)

Edward Gibbon's six-volume History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1776-88) is among the most magnificent and ambitious narratives in European literature. Its subject is the fate of one of the world's greatest civilizations over thirteen centuries - its rulers, wars and society, and the events that led to its disastrous collapse. Here, in volumes three and four, Gibbon vividly recounts the waves of barbarian invaders under commanders such as Alaric and Attila, who overran and eventually destroyed the West. He then turns his gaze to events in the East, where even the achievements of the Byzantine emperor Justinian and the campaigns of the brilliant military leader Belisarius could not conceal the fundamental weaknesses of their empire. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. "Edward Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire compresses thirteen turbulent centuries into an epic narrative shot through with insight, irony and incisive character analysis." "Famously sceptical about Christianity, unexpectedly sympathetic to the barbarian invaders and the Byzantine Empire, constantly aware of how political leaders often achieve the exact opposite of what they intend, Gibbon was alert to both the broad pattern of events and the significant revealing detail. Attacked for its enlightened views on politics, sexuality and religion, the first volume was none the less soon to be found 'on every table' and was widely acclaimed for the elegance of its prose. Gripping, powerfully intelligent and wonderfully entertaining, it is the greatest work of history in the English language, and ranks as one of the literary masterpieces of its age." "This abridgement is based on David Womersley's three-volume Penguin Classics edition of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Complete chapters from all three volumes, linked by extended bridging passages, capture the style, the argument and the architecture of the whole work."--Jacket

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Gibbon's masterpiece, which narrates the history of the Roman Empire from the second century a.d. to its collapse in the west in the fifth century and in the east in the fifteenth century, is widely considered the greatest work of history ever written. This abridgment retains the full scope of the original, but in a compass equivalent to a long novel. Casual readers now have access to the full sweep of Gibbon's narrative, while instructors and students have a volume that can be read in a single term. This unique edition emphasizes elements ignored in all other abridgments--in particular the role of religion in the empire and the rise of Islam.From the Trade Paperback edition. Abbreviations Introduction THE HISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE GIBBON’S PREFACES CHAPTER I CHAPTER II CHAPTER III [CHAPTERS IV–VI] CHAPTER VII [CHAPTERS VIII–XIV] CHAPTER XV [CHAPTERS XVI–XXI] CHAPTER XXII CHAPTER XXIII CHAPTER XXIV [CHAPTERS XXV–XXVII] CHAPTER XXVIII [CHAPTERS XXIX–XXXIII] CHAPTER XXXIV CHAPTER XXXV [CHAPTERS XXXVI–XXXVIII] General Observations on the Fall of the Roman Empire in the West [CHAPTER XXXIX] CHAPTER XL CHAPTER XLI [CHAPTERS XLII–XLIX] CHAPTER L [CHAPTERS LI–LIII] CHAPTER LIV [CHAPTERS LV–LXVII] CHAPTER LXVIII [CHAPTERS LXIX–LXX] CHAPTER LXXI A Note on the Text Chronology Selected Further Reading Biographica