← The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · Chapters

Chapters explained

Chapter companions for The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon.

Read with companionsBook page

Each chapter has a companion in the reader — open a free preview to see notes beside the text.

  1. Chapter 1

    Preface by the Editor

    The editor's preface defends Gibbon's work as indispensable while critiquing his biased treatment of Christianity, arguing that Gibbon's style and tone unfairly diminish Christian history compared to pagan and Muslim narratives. The editor outlines the corrective and supplementary aims of the new edition, emphasizing the need to separate apostolic Christianity from later corruptions.

  2. Chapter 2

    Preface of the Author

    Gibbon outlines his grand plan for the History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, dividing the narrative into three periods: from the Antonines to the fall of the Western Empire, from Justinian to Charlemagne, and from Charlemagne to the fall of Constantinople in 1453. He reflects on the scope of his work, his commitment to completing the first period, and his hopes to continue through the Byzantine centuries and the Crusades.

  3. Chapter 3

    Preface to the First Volume

    Gibbon introduces his historical work, emphasizing diligence and accuracy as his primary merits. He notes his careful examination of original materials and outlines a future plan for a critical account of authors consulted. He discusses the Augustan History, a collection of biographies of Roman emperors from Hadrian to the sons of Carus, compiled under Diocletian and Constantine, and notes the scholarly disputes over the authorship and titles of its manuscripts.

  4. Chapter 4

    Preface to the Fourth Volume of the Original Quarto Edition

    Gibbon reflects on the completion of his history of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, covering from Trajan and the Antonines to the fall of Constantinople under Muhammad II, including the Crusades and medieval Rome. He discusses his methodology, reliance on original sources, and his personal circumstances, including his health, leisure, and plans for future work. He also addresses stylistic choices regarding geographical and proper name conventions.

  5. Chapter 5

    The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

    The chapter introduces the grand narrative of the Roman Empire's decline and fall, setting the stage for the analysis of its causes and consequences.

Free preview

75 more chapter companions sit beside the text in BetterReads — open a free preview to unlock the rest.

75 more companions → free preview
  1. Chapter 6The Extent and Military Force of the Empire in the Age of the Antonines
  2. Chapter 7Chapter II: The Union and Prosperity of the Roman Empire
  3. Chapter 8Of the Constitution of the Roman Empire, in the Age of the Antonines
  4. Chapter 9Chapter IV: The Cruelty, Follies, and Murder of Commodus
  5. Chapter 10Chapter V
  6. Chapter 11Chapter VI: The Financial and Military Decay of Rome
  7. Chapter 12Chapter VII: The Rise of Maximin and the Tyranny of the Soldier-Emperors
  8. Chapter 13Of the State of Persia after the Restoration of the Monarchy by Artaxerxes
  9. Chapter 14Chapter IX: The State of Germany and the Barbarian Invasions
  10. Chapter 15The Emperors Decius, Gallus, Aemilianus, Valerian, and Gallienus — The General Irruption of the Barbarians — The Thirty Tyrants
  11. Chapter 16Reign of Claudius—Defeat of the Goths—Victories, triumph and death of Aurelian
  12. Chapter 17XII
  13. Chapter 18Chapter XIII: The Reign of Diocletian and His Associates
  14. Chapter 19Chapter XIV
  15. Chapter 20Chapter XV: The Progress of the Christian Religion
  16. Chapter 21Chapter XVI: The Conduct of the Roman Government Towards the Christians
  17. Chapter 22Foundation of Constantinople
  18. Chapter 23Chapter XVIII: Character of Constantine—Gothic War—Death of Constantine—Division of the Empire
  19. Chapter 24XIX
  20. Chapter 25The Conversion of Constantine and the Establishment of the Christian Church
  21. Chapter 26Chapter XXI
  22. Chapter 27XXII
  23. Chapter 28Chapter XXIII: The Reign of Julian the Apostate
  24. Chapter 29The Retreat and Death of Julian
  25. Chapter 30XXV: The Government and Death of Jovian — Election of Valentinian and Valens — Division of the Empire — Revolt of Procopius — Civil and Ecclesiastical Administration — Germany, Britain, Africa, the East, the Danube — Death of Valentinian — Succession of Gratian and Valentinian II
  26. Chapter 31Chapter XXVI: The Battle of Hadrianople and the Gothic Invasion
  27. Chapter 32Chapter XXVII
  28. Chapter 33Chapter XXVIII: The Final Destruction of Paganism and the Introduction of the Worship of Saints and Relics
  29. Chapter 34Chapter XXIX: The Fall of Gildo and the Weakness of Honorius
  30. Chapter 35Revolt of the Goths—They Plunder Greece—Two Great Invasions of Italy by Alaric and Radagaisus—They Are Repulsed by Stilicho—The Germans Overrun Gaul—Usurpation of Constantine in the West—Disgrace and Death of Stilicho
  31. Chapter 36XXXI
  32. Chapter 37XXXII
  33. Chapter 38Chapter XXXIII: The Vandal Conquest of Africa and the Death of St. Augustine
  34. Chapter 39Chapter XXXIV: The Rise and Reign of Attila the Hun
  35. Chapter 40XXXV
  36. Chapter 41XXXVI
  37. Chapter 42Origin, Progress, and Effects of the Monastic Life — Conversion of the Barbarians to Christianity and Arianism — Persecution of the Vandals in Africa — Extinction of Arianism among the Barbarians
  38. Chapter 43XXXVIII
  39. Chapter 44General Observations on the Fall of the Roman Empire in the West
  40. Chapter 45The Gothic Kingdom of Italy under Theodoric
  41. Chapter 46XL
  42. Chapter 47Conquests of Justinian in the West
  43. Chapter 48XLII
  44. Chapter 49XLIII
  45. Chapter 50XLIV
  46. Chapter 51Chapter XLV: The Lombard Conquest and the Decline of Rome
  47. Chapter 52XLVI
  48. Chapter 53Chapter XLVII: Theological History of the Doctrine of the Incarnation
  49. Chapter 54Chapter XLVIII: Plan of the Last Two Volumes
  50. Chapter 55XLIX
  51. Chapter 56L
  52. Chapter 57The Arab Conquests of Persia, Syria, Egypt, Africa, and Spain
  53. Chapter 58LII
  54. Chapter 59LIII: Fate of the Eastern Empire in the Tenth Century
  55. Chapter 60LIV
  56. Chapter 61LV
  57. Chapter 62Chapter LVI: The Saracens, Franks, and Greeks in Italy – The Normans
  58. Chapter 63LVII: The Turks of the House of Seljuk
  59. Chapter 64The First Crusade and the Establishment of the Kingdom of Jerusalem
  60. Chapter 65LIX: Preservation of the Greek Empire, Second and Third Crusades, Saladin, and the Later Crusades
  61. Chapter 66LX
  62. Chapter 67LXI: Partition of the Empire by the French and Venetians — Five Latin Emperors — Their Wars — Weakness and Poverty of the Latin Empire — Recovery of Constantinople by the Greeks — General Consequences of the Crusades
  63. Chapter 68The Greek Emperors of Nice and Constantinople
  64. Chapter 69Civil Wars and the Ruin of the Greek Empire
  65. Chapter 70Conquests of Zingis Khan and the Moguls
  66. Chapter 71Chapter LXV: The Ottoman Resurgence and the Siege of Constantinople
  67. Chapter 72Applications of the Eastern Emperors to the Popes — Visits to the West of John the First, Manuel, and John the Second, Palaeologus — Union of the Greek and Latin Churches — State of Literature at Constantinople — Its Revival in Italy by the Greek Fugitives — Curiosity and Emulation of the Latins
  68. Chapter 73Schism of the Greeks and Latins — Reign and Character of Amurath the Second — Crusade of Ladislaus, King of Hungary — His defeat and death — John Huniades — Scanderbeg — Constantine Palaeologus, last emperor of the East
  69. Chapter 74The Fall of Constantinople
  70. Chapter 75State of Rome from the Twelfth Century: Temporal Dominion of the Popes and the Restoration of the Republic
  71. Chapter 76Chapter LXX
  72. Chapter 77LXXI: Prospect of the Ruins of Rome in the Fifteenth Century
  73. Chapter 78Appendix
  74. Chapter 79Endnotes
  75. Chapter 80List of Illustrations