The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume 1 — Edward Gibbon
History Of The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire, Volume 1 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 1 Author : Edward Gibbon Commentator : Henry Hart Milman Release date : June 7, 2008 [eBook #890] Most recently updated: March 28, 2020 Language : English Other information and formats : www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/890 Credits : Produced by David Reed, Dale R. Fredrickson and David Widger *** START OF With notes by the Rev. H. H. Milman Volume 1 1782 (Written), 1845 (Revised) CONTENTS Introduction Preface By The Editor Preface Of The Author Preface To The First Volume Chapter I: The Extent Of The Empire In The Age Of The Antoninies.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Introduction—The Extent And Military Force Of The Empire In The Age Of The Antonines. Chapter II: The Internal Prosperity In The Age Of The Antonines.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV. Of The Union And Internal Prosperity Of The Roman Empire, In The Age Of The Antonines. Chapter III: The Constitution In The Age Of The Antonines.—Part I. Part II. Of The Constitution Of The Roman Empire, In The Age Of The Antonines. Chapter IV: The Cruelty, Follies And Murder Of Commodus.—Part I. Part II. The Cruelty, Follies, And Murder Of Commodus. Election Of Pertinax—His Attempts To Reform The State—His Assassination By The Prætorian Guards. Chapter V: Sale Of The Empire To Didius Julianus.—Part I. Part II. Public Sale Of The Empire To Didius Julianus By The Prætorian 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 Government. Chapter VI: Death Of Severus, Tyranny Of Caracalla, Usurpation Of Macrinus.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV. 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. Chapter VII: Tyranny Of Maximin, Rebellion, Civil Wars, Death Of Maximin.—Part I. Part II. Part III. The Elevation And Tyranny Of Maximin.—Rebellion In Africa And Italy, Under The Authority Of The Senate.—Civil Wars And Seditions.—Violent Deaths Of Maximin And His Son, Of Maximus And Balbinus, And Of The Three Gordians.—Usurpation And Secular Games Of Philip. Chapter VIII: State Of Persia And Restoration Of The Monarchy.—Part I. Part II. Of The State Of Persia After The Restoration Of The Monarchy By Artaxerxes. Chapter IX: State Of Germany Until The Barbarians.—Part I. Part II. Part III. The State Of Germany Till The Invasion Of The Barbarians In The Time Of The Emperor Decius. Chapter X: Emperors Decius, Gallus, Æmilianus, Valerian And Gallienus.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV. The Emperors Decius, Gallus, Æmilianus, Valerian, And Gallienus.—The General Irruption Of The Barbarians.—The Thirty Tyrants. Chapter XI: Reign Of Claudius, Defeat Of The Goths.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Reign Of Claudius.—Defeat Of The Goths.—Victories, Triumph, And Death Of Aurelian. Chapter XII: Reigns Of Tacitus, Probus, Carus And His Sons.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Conduct Of The Army And Senate After The Death Of Aurelian.— Reigns Of Tacitus, Probus, Carus, And His Sons. Chapter XIII: Reign Of Diocletian And This Three Associates.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV. The Reign Of Diocletian And His Three Associates, Maximian, Galerius, And Constantius.—General Reestablishment Of Order And Tranquillity.—The Persian War, Victory, And Triumph.— The New Form Of Administration.—Abdication And Retirement Of Diocletian And Maximian. Chapter XIV: Six Emperors At The Same Time, Reunion Of The Empire.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV. Troubles After The Abdication Of Diocletian.—Death Of Constantius.—Elevation Of Constantine And Maxentius. 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. Chapter XV: Progress Of The Christian Religion.—Part I. Part II. Part III. Part IV. Part V. Part VI. Part VII. Part VIII. Part IX. The Progress Of The Christian Religion, And The Sentiments, Manners, Numbers, And Condition Of The Primitive Christians. Introduction Preface By The Editor. The great work of Gibbon is indispensable to the student of history. The literature of Europe offers no substitute for “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.” It has obtained undisputed possession, as rightful occupant, of the vast period which it comprehends. However some subjects, which it embraces, may have undergone more complete investigation, on the general view of the whole period, this history is the sole undisputed authority to which all defer, and from which few appeal to the original writers, or to more modern compilers. The inherent interest of the subject, the inexhaustible labor employed upon it; the immense condensation of matter; the luminous arrangement; the general accuracy; the style, which, however monotonous from its uniform stateliness, and sometimes wearisome from its elaborate art, is throughout vigorous, animated, often picturesque, always commands attention, always conveys its meaning with emphatic energy, describes with singular breadth and fidelity, and generalizes with unrivalled felicity of expression; all these high qualifications have secured, and seem likely to secure, its permanent place in historic literature. This vast design of Gibbon, the magnificent whole into which he has cast the decay and ruin of the ancient civilization, the formation and birth of the new order of things, will of itself, independent of the