Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume 2 — Edward Gibbon
History Of The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire, Volume 2 by Edward Gibbon You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org . If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title : History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 2 Author : Edward Gibbon Commentator : Henry Hart Milman Release date : June 7, 2008 [eBook #891] Most recently updated: March 31, 2020 Language : English Other information and formats : www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/891 Credits : Produced by David Reed, Dale R. Fredrickson and David Widger *** START OF With notes by the Rev. H. H. Milman 1782 (Written), 1845 (Revised) CONTENTS Chapter XVI—Conduct Towards The Christians, From Nero To Constantine.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV. Part V. Part VI. Part VII. Part VIII. The Conduct Of The Roman Government Towards The Christians, From The Reign Of Nero To That Of Constantine. Chapter XVII: Foundation Of Constantinople.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV. Part V. Part VI. Foundation Of Constantinople.—Political System Constantine, And His Successors.—Military Discipline.—The Palace.—The Finances. Chapter XVIII: Character Of Constantine And His Sons.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV. 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. Chapter XIX: Constantius Sole Emperor.—Part I. PartII. Part III. Part IV. Constantius Sole Emperor.—Elevation And Death Of Gallus.— Danger And Elevation Of Julian.—Sarmatian And Persian Wars.— Victories Of Julian In Gaul. Chapter XX: Conversion Of Constantine.—Part I. Part II. Part III. PartIV. The Motives, Progress, And Effects Of The Conversion Of Constantine.—Legal Establishment And Constitution Of The Christian Or Catholic Church. Chapter XXI: Persecution Of Heresy, State Of The Church.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV. Part V. Part VI. Part VII. Persecution Of Heresy.—The Schism Of The Donatists.—The Arian Controversy.—Athanasius.—Distracted State Of The Church And Empire Under Constantine And His Sons.—Toleration Of Paganism. Chapter XXII: Julian Declared Emperor.—Part I Part II. Part III. Part IV. Julian Is Declared Emperor By The Legions Of Gaul.—His March And Success.—The Death Of Constantius.—Civil Administration Of Julian. Chapter XXIII: Reign Of Julian.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV. Part V. The Religion Of Julian.—Universal Toleration.—He Attempts To Restore And Reform The Pagan Worship—To Rebuild The Temple Of Jerusalem—His Artful Persecution Of The Christians.—Mutual Zeal And Injustice. Chapter XXIV: The Retreat And Death Of Julian.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV. Part V. Residence Of Julian At Antioch.—His Successful Expedition Against The Persians.—Passage Of The Tigris—The Retreat And Death Of Julian.—Election Of Jovian.—He Saves The Roman Army By A Disgraceful Treaty. Chapter XXV: Reigns Of Jovian And Valentinian, Division Of The Empire.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV. Part V. Part VI. Part VII. 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.—His Two Sons, Gratian And Valentinian II., Succeed To The Western Empire. Chapter XXVI: Progress of The Huns.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV. Part V. Manners Of The Pastoral Nations.—Progress Of The Huns, From China To Europe.—Flight Of The Goths.—They Pass The Danube. —Gothic War.—Defeat And Death Of Valens.—Gratian Invests Theodosius With The Eastern Empire.—His Character And Success. —Peace And Settlement Of The Goths. Chapter XVI—Conduct Towards The Christians, From Nero To Constantine.—Part I. The Conduct Of The Roman Government Towards The Christians, From The Reign Of Nero To That Of Constantine. If we seriously consider the purity of the Christian religion, the sanctity of its moral precepts, and the innocent as well as austere lives of the greater number of those who during the first ages embraced the faith of the gospel, we should naturally suppose, that so benevolent a doctrine would have been received with due reverence, even by the unbelieving world; that the learned and the polite, however they may deride the miracles, would have esteemed the virtues, of the new sect; and that the magistrates, instead of persecuting, would have protected an order of men who yielded the most passive obedience to the laws, though they declined the active cares of war and government. If, on the other hand, we recollect the universal toleration of Polytheism, as it was invariably maintained by the faith of the people, the incredulity of philosophers, and the policy of the Roman senate and emperors, we are at a loss to discover what new offence the Christians had committed, what new provocation could exasperate the mild indifference of antiquity, and what new motives could urge the Roman princes, who beheld without concern a thousand forms of religion subsisting in peace under their gentle sway, to inflict a severe punishment on any part of their subjects, who had chosen for themselves a singular but an inoffensive mode of faith and worship. The religious policy of the ancient world seems to have assumed a more stern and intolerant character, to oppose the progress of Christianity. About fourscore years after the death of Christ, his innocent disciples were punished with death by the sentence of a proconsul of the most amiable and philosophic character, and according to the laws of an emperor distinguished by the wisdom and justice of his general administration. The apologies which were repeatedl