Outline of The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
The six-volume work The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by the English historian Edward Gibbon (1737–1794) has been reprinted many times over the years in various editions.
Editions
The original edition was published between 1776 and 1789 in six volumes by the firm of [William] Strahan & [Thomas] Cadell, in the Strand, London.[1]
- Volume I has a complex history of its own. It was published in six editions between 1776 and 1789. Three of the six contain authorial revisions, marked AR:
- First editions, 1776 Feb 17 (a and b-AR), 1000 copies;
- Second edition, 1776 June 3; 1500 copies;
- Third edition, 1777 May (AR); 1000 copies;
- Fourth edition, 1781 Apr 4 (AR);
- Fifth editions, 1782 Apr 11 (a and b);
- Sixth edition, 1789 Dec 1.
- Volumes II, III were published together in three editions between 1781 and 1789:
- First editions, 1781 Mar 1 (a and b; b sometimes called the second edition);
- Second edition, 1787 (n/a);
- Third edition, 1789 Dec 1. published with the sixth edition of volume one as a new set.
- Volumes IV, V, VI were published together in one edition only: 1788 May 8; 3000 copies each.
A one-volume edition with an "introductory memoir of the author" by William Youngman was published by J.O. Robinson (London, 1830). The 1838–1839 Rev. H.H. (Dean) Milman edition, the first English critical edition, was published in 12 volumes. A second Milman edition, which serves as the basis for most electronic and public domain versions such as the Gutenberg one, was published in 1846 in 6 volumes.[2] The original
The 1910The latest complete edition in 3 volumes was edited by David Womersley, and published by Allen Lane (London) and Penguin Press (New York) in 1994.
Contents
- The Extent and Military Force of the Empire in the Age of the Antonines which was in the Years 98–180
- Of the Union and Internal Prosperity of the Roman Empire, in the Age of the Antonines – Art – Character
- Of the Constitution of the Roman Empire, in the Age of the Antonines – Rulers from Augustus to Domitian
- The Cruelty, Follies, and Murder of Praetorian Guards– Indignation
- Public Sale of the Empire to Didius Julianus by the Praetorian 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
- The Death of Severus – Tyranny of Alexander Severus – Licentiousness of the Army – General State of the Roman Finances – Tax& Tribute
- The Elevation, and Tyranny, of Maximinus – 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
- Of the State of Persia after the Restoration of the Monarchy by Artaxerxes – His Character and Maxims
- The State of Barbarians, in the time of the Emperor Decius– 248 AD.
- The Emperors Decius, Gallus, Aemilianus, Valerian, and Gallienus – The general Irruption of the Barbarians – The Thirty Tyrants – Their Real Number Nineteen
- Reign of 's Character
- Conduct of the Army and Senate after the Death of Aurelian – Reigns of Probus, Carusand his Sons
- The Reign of The Persian War, Victory, and Triumph – The new Form of Administration – The Abdicationand Retirement of Diocletian and Maximian
- Troubles after the Abdication of Diocletian – Death of – Reunion of the Empire under the Authority of Constantine – His Laws – General Peace
- The Progress of the Christian Religion, and the Sentiments, Manners, Numbers, and Condition of the Primitive Christians – Ceremonies, Arts, and Festivals
- The Conduct of the Roman Government towards the Christians, from Reign of Nero to that of Constantine – Persecution of Jews & Christians by Domitian
- Foundation of Constantinople – Political System of Constantine, and his Successors – Military Discipline – The Palace – Finances – General Tribute – Free Gifts
- 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 II
- Constantius sole Emperor – Elevation and Death of Sarmatian and Persian Wars – Victories of Julian in Gaul – Paris
- The Motives, Progress, and Effects of the Conversion of Constantine – Legal Establishment and Constitution of the Christian or Catholic Church – The Clergy
- Persecution of Athanasius– Distracted State of the Church and Empire under Constantine and his Sons
- Julian is declared Emperor by the Legions of Gaul– His March and Success – The Death of Constantius – Civil Administration of Julian – His Fine Character
- The Religion of Temple of Jerusalem– His Artful Persecution of the Christians – Mutual Zeal and Injustice
- Residence of Julian at Jovian– He Saves the Roman army by a Disgraceful Peace Treaty
- The Government and Death of Jovian – Election of , Succeeded to the Western Empire – The Eastern Emperor is Without Influence
- Manners of the Pastoral Nations – Progress of the Huns – Flight of the Goths – They Pass the Danube – Gothic War – Defeat and Death of Valens – Gratian Invests Theodosius I with the Eastern Empire – His Character and Success – Peace and Settlement of the Goths
- Death of Gratian – Ruin of Arianism – St. Ambrose – First Civil War, against Maximus – Character, Administration, and Penance of Theodosius – Death of Valentinian II. – Second Civil War, against Eugenius – Death of Theodosius– Corruption of Times – Infantry Disarm
- Final Destruction of Paganism – Introduction of the Worship of Saints and Relics among the Christians
- Final Division of the Roman Empire between the Sons of Theodosius – Reign of Arcadius and Honorius – Administration of Rufinus and Stilicho – Revolt and Defeat of Gildo in Africa – Condemnation by the Senate
- 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 – His Memory Persecuted – Claudian
- Invasion of Italy by Alaric – Manners of the Roman Senate and People – Rome is Thrice Besieged and at Length Pillaged by the Goths – Death of Alaric – The Goths Evacuate Italy – Fall of Constantine – Gaul and Spain Occupied by the Barbarians – Freedom of Britain
- St. John Chrysostom – Theodosius II Emperor of the East – His Sister Pulcheria – His Wife Eudocia – The Persian War, and Division of Armenia– Lustre on Decline
- Death of Boniface – Conquest of Africa by the Vandals
- The Character, Conquests, and Court of Attila, King of the Huns – Death of Theodosius the Younger – Elevation of Marcianby Pulcheria to the Empire of the East
- Invasion of Gaul by Attila – He is repulsed by Aetius and the Visigoths – Attila Invades and Evacuates Italy – The Deaths of Attila, Aetius, and Valentinian III – Symptoms of the Ruin of the Roman Government
- Sack of Rome by Augustulus – Total Extinction of the Western Empire – Reign and Character of Odoacer, the first Barbarian King of Italy
- 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 Barbarians – Jews in Spain
- Reign and Conversion of Clovis – His Victories over the Alemanni, Burgundians, and Visigoths – Establishment of the French Monarchy in Gaul – Laws of the Barbarians – State of the Romans – The Visigoths of Spain – Conquest of Britain by the Saxons – King Arthur
- – The Last Acts and Death of Theodoric
- Elevation of Theodora – II. Factions of the Circus, and Sedition of Constantinople – III. Trade and Manufacture of Silk – IV. Finances and Taxes – V. Edifices of Justinian – Church of St. Sophia – Fortification and Frontiers of Eastern Empire – Abolition of Schools of Athens and the Roman Consulshipby Justinian
- Conquests of Justinian in the West – Character and First Campaigns of Belisarius – He Invades and Subdues the Vandal Kingdom of Africa – His Triumph – The Gothic War – He Recovers Sicily, Naples, and Rome – Siege of Rome by the Goths – Their Retreat and Losses – Surrender of Ravenna – Glory of Belisarius – His Domestic Shame and Misfortunes – His Wife Antonina
- State of the Barbaric World – Establishment of the Chosroes I. or Nushirvan King of Persia – His Reign and Wars with the Romans – The Colchian or Lazic War – The Aethiopians
- Rebellions of Africa – Restoration of the Gothic Kingdom by Totila – Loss and Recovery of Rome – Final Conquest of Italy by Narses – Extinction of the Ostrogoths – Defeat of the Franks and Alemanni – Last Victory, Disgrace, and Death of Belisarius – Death and Character of Justinian – Comet, Earthquakes, Plague
- Idea of the Roman Decemvirs– The Laws of the People – The Decrees of the Senate – The Edicts of the Magistrates and Emperors – Authority of the Civilians – Code, Pandects, Novels, and Institutes of Justinian: – I. Rights of Persons – II. Rights of Things – III. Private Injury & Action – IV. Crime & Punishment
- Reign of the Younger Justin – Embassy of the Avars – Their Settlement on the Danube – Conquest of Italy by the Lombards – Adoption and Reign of Tiberius – Of Maurice – State of Italy Under the Lombards and the Exarchs of Ravenna – Distress of Rome – Character and Pontificate of Gregory the First – The Saviour of Rome
- Revolutions of Persia After the Death of Chosroes or Nushirvan – His Son Hormouz, a Tyrant, is Deposed – Usurpation of Asia Minor– Siege of Constantinople by the Persians and Avars – Victories and Triumph of Heraclius
- Theological History of the Doctrine of the
- Characters of the Greek Emperors of Constantinople, From the Time of Heraclius to the Latin Conquest
- Introduction, Worship, and Persecution of Images – Revolt of Italy and Rome – Temporal Dominion of the Popes – Conquest of Italy by the Franks – Character and Coronation of Charlemagne – Decay of the Empire in the West – Independence of Italy – Constitution of the Germanic Body – The German Emperor Charles IV
- Description of AliHis Descendants – Success of Mahomet
- The Conquest of Persia, Syria, Egypt, Africa, and Spain, by the Arabs or Caliphs, or Successors of Mahomet – State of the Christians, &c. Under Their Government – Decline of Christianity
- The Two Sieges of Constantinople by the Arabs – Their Invasion of France, and Defeat by Zimisces
- State of the Eastern Empire in the Tenth Century – Extent and Division – Wealth and Revenue – Palace of Constantinople – Titles and Offices – Pride and Power of the Emperors – Tactics of the Greeks, Arabs, and Franks – The Loss of Latin – Solitude of the Greeks
- Origin and Doctrine of the Reformation
- The Bulgarians – Origin, Migrations, and Settlement of the Wolodomir
- The Saracens, Franks, and Greeks, in Italy – First Adventures and Settlement of the Manuel Comnenus – Wars of the Greeks and Normans – Emperor Henry VI. – Extinction of Normans
- The Turks of the House of Malek Shah – Conquest of Asia Minor and Syria – State and Oppression of Jerusalem – Pilgrimages to the Holy Sepulchre
- Origin and Numbers of the King of Jerusalem – The French or Latin Kingdom
- Preservation of the Greek Empire – Numbers, Passage, and Events of the Mamelukes
- sonof Isaac – Their Naval Expedition to Constantinople – The Two Sieges, and Final Conquest of the city by the Latins – Sacrilege, Mockers, Destruction
- Partition of the Empire by the French and Venetians – Five Latin Emperors of the Houses of Flanders and Courtenay – Their Wars Against the Bulgarians and Greeks – Weakness and Poverty of the Latin Empire – Recovery of Constantinople by the Greeks – General Consequences of Crusades – Digression – The Courtenays
- The Greek Emperors of – Its People Elude Tyranny
- Civil Wars, and Ruin of the Greek Empire – Reigns of Andronicus, the – Their Wars with the Empire and City of Constantinople – Genoese Victory over Venetians
- Conquests of Orchan, Amurath the First, and Bajazetthe First – Foundation and Progress of the Turkish Monarchy in Asia and Europe – Danger of Constantinople and the Greek Empire – John Palaeologus
- Elevation of Timour, or Tamberlane, to the Throne of Samarcand – His Conquests in Persia, Georgia, Tartary, Russia, India, Syria, and Anatolia – His Turkish War – Defeat and Captivity of Bajazet – Death of Timour – Civil War of the Sons of Bajazet – Restoration of the Turkish Monarchy by Mahomet the First – Siege of Constantinople by Amurath the Second – Turkish Merit
- Applications of the Eastern Emperors to the Popes – Visits to the West, of John the First, – State of Literature at Constantinople – Its Revival in Italy by the Greek Fugitives – Curiosity & Emulation of the Latins
- Schism of the Greeks and Latins – Reign and Character of Amurath the Second – Crusade of Constantine Palaeologus, Last Emperor of the East – Embassies of Phranza– Byzantine Court
- Reign and Character of Mahomet the Second – Siege, Assault, and Final Conquest, of Constantinople, by the Turks – Death of Constantine Palaeologus – Servitude of the Greeks – Extinction of the Roman Empire in the East – Consternation of Europe – Conquests and Death of Mahomet the Second – His Lofty Aspirations
- State of Rome from the Twelfth Century – Colonna and UrsiniFeud
- Character and Coronation of Rienzi – His Virtues and Vices, His Expulsion and Death – Return of the Popes from Avignon – Great Schism of the West– Re-Union of the Latin Church – Last Struggles of Roman Liberty – Statues of Rome – Final Settlement of the Ecclesiastical Government
- Prospect of the Ruins of Rome in the Fifteenth Century – Four Causes of Decay and Destruction – Example of the Colosseum – Ignorance and Barbarism of Romans – Renovation of the City – Conclusion
Notes
- ^ Data assembled from David Womersley, ed., Edward Gibbon – The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol. 1 (London: Allen Lane, 1994), pp. cvii, 1084, 1106; and Norton, Biblio, 36–63. Norton reported that reliable figures on printed copies of all editions and volumes "cannot, unfortunately, be stated." p. 52. Precise days of publication from Norton, Biblio, except where otherwise noted.
- ^ Norton, Biblio, p. 100.
- ^ "Royal Holloway College's Library Catalogue". Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ Norton, Biblio, p. 101.
- ^ Notes on Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Modern Library Collecting website (Last accessed 12 August 2016)
References
- Norton, J.E. A Bibliography of the Works of Edward Gibbon (New York: Burt Franklin Co., 1970; 1940). Cited as 'Norton, Biblio'.
- Pocock, J.G.A. Barbarism and Religion, vol. 1, The Enlightenments of Edward Gibbon, 1737–1764 (Cambridge: 1999). cited as 'Pocock, EEG'.
- Project Gutenberg: Gibbon, Memoirs of My Life and Writings online. Cited as 'Gibbon, Memoirs'.
- Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1886). . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 7. London: Smith, Elder & Co. . Cited as 'Stephen, DNB'.
- Womersley, David. "Gibbon, Edward (1737–1794)," Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, vol. 22, H.C.G. Matthew; Brian Harrison, eds. (Oxford: 2004), 8–18. Cited as 'Womersley, ODNB'.
- Womersley, "Chronology" in Edward Gibbon – The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 3 vols. (New York: Penguin Press, 1994, revised ed. 2005), pp. cxii–cxiii. Cited as 'Womersley, "Chronology"'.
Further reading
- Pocock, J.G.A. The Work of J.G.A. Pocock: Edward Gibbon section.
- Edward Gibbon page: Further reading section.
- The History of the Decline and Fall: Further Reading section.
- The Miscellaneous Works of Edward Gibbon.
- List of Roman Emperors.
- List of Byzantine Emperors.