# The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Chapters explained

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

- [Preface by the Editor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/preface-by-the-editor.md): 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 nar
- [Preface of the Author](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/preface-of-the-author.md): 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, 
- [Preface to the First Volume](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/preface-to-the-first-volume.md): 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 consult
- [Preface to the Fourth Volume of the Original Quarto Edition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/preface-to-the-fourth-volume-of-the-original-quarto-edition.md): 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 Ro
- [The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/the-history-of-the-decline-and-fall-of-the-roman-empire.md): 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.

> 75 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se_7658kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [The Extent and Military Force of the Empire in the Age of the Antonines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/i.md)
- [Chapter II: The Union and Prosperity of the Roman Empire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/ii.md)
- [Of the Constitution of the Roman Empire, in the Age of the Antonines](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/iii.md)
- [Chapter IV: The Cruelty, Follies, and Murder of Commodus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/iv.md)
- [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/v.md)
- [Chapter VI: The Financial and Military Decay of Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/vi.md)
- [Chapter VII: The Rise of Maximin and the Tyranny of the Soldier-Emperors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/vii.md)
- [Of the State of Persia after the Restoration of the Monarchy by Artaxerxes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/viii.md)
- [Chapter IX: The State of Germany and the Barbarian Invasions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/ix.md)
- [The Emperors Decius, Gallus, Aemilianus, Valerian, and Gallienus — The General Irruption of the Barbarians — The Thirty Tyrants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/x.md)
- [Reign of Claudius—Defeat of the Goths—Victories, triumph and death of Aurelian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xi.md)
- [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xii.md)
- [Chapter XIII: The Reign of Diocletian and His Associates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xiii.md)
- [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xiv.md)
- [Chapter XV: The Progress of the Christian Religion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xv.md)
- [Chapter XVI: The Conduct of the Roman Government Towards the Christians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xvi.md)
- [Foundation of Constantinople](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xvii.md)
- [Chapter XVIII: Character of Constantine—Gothic War—Death of Constantine—Division of the Empire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xviii.md)
- [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xix.md)
- [The Conversion of Constantine and the Establishment of the Christian Church](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xx.md)
- [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxi.md)
- [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxii.md)
- [Chapter XXIII: The Reign of Julian the Apostate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxiii.md)
- [The Retreat and Death of Julian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxiv.md)
- [XXV: 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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxv.md)
- [Chapter XXVI: The Battle of Hadrianople and the Gothic Invasion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxvi.md)
- [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxvii.md)
- [Chapter XXVIII: The Final Destruction of Paganism and the Introduction of the Worship of Saints and Relics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxviii.md)
- [Chapter XXIX: The Fall of Gildo and the Weakness of Honorius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxix.md)
- [Revolt 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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxx.md)
- [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxxi.md)
- [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxxii.md)
- [Chapter XXXIII: The Vandal Conquest of Africa and the Death of St. Augustine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxxiii.md)
- [Chapter XXXIV: The Rise and Reign of Attila the Hun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxxiv.md)
- [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxxv.md)
- [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxxvi.md)
- [Origin, 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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxxvii.md)
- [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxxviii.md)
- [General Observations on the Fall of the Roman Empire in the West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/general-observations-on-the-fall-of-the-roman-empire-in-the-west.md)
- [The Gothic Kingdom of Italy under Theodoric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xxxix.md)
- [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xl.md)
- [Conquests of Justinian in the West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xli.md)
- [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xlii.md)
- [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xliii.md)
- [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xliv.md)
- [Chapter XLV: The Lombard Conquest and the Decline of Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xlv.md)
- [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xlvi.md)
- [Chapter XLVII: Theological History of the Doctrine of the Incarnation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xlvii.md)
- [Chapter XLVIII: Plan of the Last Two Volumes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xlviii.md)
- [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/xlix.md)
- [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/l.md)
- [The Arab Conquests of Persia, Syria, Egypt, Africa, and Spain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/li.md)
- [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lii.md)
- [LIII: Fate of the Eastern Empire in the Tenth Century](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/liii.md)
- [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/liv.md)
- [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lv.md)
- [Chapter LVI: The Saracens, Franks, and Greeks in Italy – The Normans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lvi.md)
- [LVII: The Turks of the House of Seljuk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lvii.md)
- [The First Crusade and the Establishment of the Kingdom of Jerusalem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lviii.md)
- [LIX: Preservation of the Greek Empire, Second and Third Crusades, Saladin, and the Later Crusades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lix.md)
- [LX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lx.md)
- [LXI: 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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lxi.md)
- [The Greek Emperors of Nice and Constantinople](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lxii.md)
- [Civil Wars and the Ruin of the Greek Empire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lxiii.md)
- [Conquests of Zingis Khan and the Moguls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lxiv.md)
- [Chapter LXV: The Ottoman Resurgence and the Siege of Constantinople](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lxv.md)
- [Applications 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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lxvi.md)
- [Schism 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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lxvii.md)
- [The Fall of Constantinople](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lxviii.md)
- [State of Rome from the Twelfth Century: Temporal Dominion of the Popes and the Restoration of the Republic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lxix.md)
- [Chapter LXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lxx.md)
- [LXXI: Prospect of the Ruins of Rome in the Fifteenth Century](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/lxxi.md)
- [Appendix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/appendix.md)
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/endnotes.md)
- [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_se/chapters