The Decline and Fall of The Roman Empire

[Mathor]

One of my favorite books has always been "The Decline and Fall of The Roman Empire". It is out of print now, but I have a very old copy of it somewhere. I do not see this mentioned on this forum anywhere, anyone else out there who was mystified by the history in Gibbon's great work?

[stlukesguild]

Actually, I don't think it's ever been out of print. If you go to Amazon.com you'll find that there are any number of editions of the work... both highly truncated and unabridged... paperback and hard-cover. I was rather lucky to be able to replace a truly unremarkable hard-bound edition (unabridged) with another far lovelier hard-bound edition (also unabridged) which was also boxed and illustrated with some exquisite sepia-toned reproductions of Piranesi's famous prints of Rome. Gibbon's work is itself a masterpiece of history and of English prose. Of course... like Thucydides' and Herodotus' histories one needs to be aware that there are certain discrepancies with fact. Undoubtedly there is a certain bias involved in the very opening words:

"In the second century of the Christian era, the Empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilized portion of mankind."

This rather ignores the Persian Empire, China, India, and the great... albeit unknown... civilizations of South America. But then again there are endless dry, academic historians who are far more objective yet hardly memorable as writers. Gibbon is worth reading for his prose... the richness of his narrative... and for an understanding of the Romantic visions of just what Rome once meant to educated Western civilization.

[JBI]

Actually, I don't think it's ever been out of print. If you go to Amazon.com you'll find that there are any number of editions of the work... both highly truncated and unabridged... paperback and hard-cover. I was rather lucky to be able to replace a truly unremarkable hard-bound edition (unabridged) with another far lovelier hard-bound edition (also unabridged) which was also boxed and illustrated with some exquisite sepia-toned reproductions of Piranesi's famous prints of Rome. Gibbon's work is itself a masterpiece of history and of English prose. Of course... like Thucydides' and Herodotus' histories one needs to be aware that there are certain discrepancies with fact. Undoubtedly there is a certain bias involved in the very opening words:

"In the second century of the Christian era, the Empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilized portion of mankind."

This rather ignores the Persian Empire, China, India, and the great... albeit unknown... civilizations of South America. But then again there are endless dry, academic historians who are far more objective yet hardly memorable as writers. Gibbon is worth reading for his prose... the richness of his narrative... and for an understanding of the Romantic visions of just what Rome once meant to educated Western civilization.

Oh, alas, the decline and fall of the appreciation of the Roman Empire.

[wessexgirl]

Actually, I don't think it's ever been out of print. If you go to Amazon.com you'll find that there are any number of editions of the work... both highly truncated and unabridged... paperback and hard-cover. I was rather lucky to be able to replace a truly unremarkable hard-bound edition (unabridged) with another far lovelier hard-bound edition (also unabridged) which was also boxed and illustrated with some exquisite sepia-toned reproductions of Piranesi's famous prints of Rome. Gibbon's work is itself a masterpiece of history and of English prose. Of course... like Thucydides' and Herodotus' histories one needs to be aware that there are certain discrepancies with fact. Undoubtedly there is a certain bias involved in the very opening words:

"In the second century of the Christian era, the Empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilized portion of mankind."

This rather ignores the Persian Empire, China, India, and the great... albeit unknown... civilizations of South America. But then again there are endless dry, academic historians who are far more objective yet hardly memorable as writers. Gibbon is worth reading for his prose... the richness of his narrative... and for an understanding of the Romantic visions of just what Rome once meant to educated Western civilization.

I didn't think it was out of print either. I have a very old library edition which was discarded, and I also have it on audio. As for that quote Luke, Gibbon is being ironic, I think. I vaguely remember when I studied it years ago, that he has a very dry and subtle wit, which can be eaily missed. I seem to remember the passage about Constantine's conversion to Christianity, which I don't think Gibbon entirely believed :).

[Virgil]

One of my favorite books has always been "The Decline and Fall of The Roman Empire". It is out of print now, but I have a very old copy of it somewhere. I do not see this mentioned on this forum anywhere, anyone else out there who was mystified by the history in Gibbon's great work?

I don't belive it's out of print. Also be aware that most specialized historians today dispute many of Gibbons's conclusions. It's 200+ years old and a lot better understanding of the empire and its fall is now known. But Gibbons's work was seminal and is magnificently written.

[plainjane]

I seem to remember the passage about Constantine's conversion to Christianity, which I don't think Gibbon entirely believed :).

Now I really have to read my copy, as I suspect Gibbon was on to something.

[MANICHAEAN]

Edward Gibbon's Decline & Fall is a life times read. His soaring prose is so elegant that its like a fine French cognac. You smell it, sip it, swirl it in your palate, let it sink down & sink into an abyss of warmth encompassing all your senses. And just when you think this is serious stuff, he hits you with a touch of irony & humour e.g. "My English text is chaste, and all licentious passages are left in the obscurity of a learned language".
The late Cardinal Hume in the UK found it ironic that when wishing to read up on the early history of Christianity it was necessary to read extracts from this book by Gibbon, an athiest.
Its influence on Winston Churchills speechs is also apparent. e.g. When addressing the British troops in North Africa during the Second World War. "I speak to you today from this famous ampitheatre in Carthage, where the air was once rent by the screams of Christian virgins as they were devoured by the Roman lions. And yet, upon reflection, I am no lion. But then I am certainly not a virgin"
There was none of today's political correctness in that Prime Minister!

[plainjane]

Well said! :thumbs_up

'Tis a bit daunting. I have my great-grandfather's set, which is partially the reason it's not been gone though. I'd like a copy I can muck in and mark up as I wish. :p

[mortalterror]

Love it. Can't praise it enough. One of the greatest books of all time.

[stlukesguild]

Love it. Can't praise it enough. One of the greatest books of all time.

Gee... that comes as a surprise.:rolleyes:

[mortalterror]

Gee... that comes as a surprise.:rolleyes:
I'm looking at those Piranesi prints http://www.philaprintshop.com/piranesi.html and I really envy you that copy. Mine's alright for my purposes, but it's just a typical two volume Modern Library edition.

[JCamilo]

Actually, I think stlukesguild could say it also and it would not be a surprise, it is a basic borgesian text after all... :D
Anyways, It is hard to think such stylish classicism in anyone else but Voltaire. I believe in everything he wrote.

[kasie]

My grandson has his eye on my illustrated edition....

[mal4mac]

Well said! :thumbs_up
'Tis a bit daunting. I have my great-grandfather's set, which is partially the reason it's not been gone though. I'd like a copy I can muck in and mark up as I wish. :p

The following seems a remarkable bargain, so cheap you can muck about or "chance reading it" without any fear!:

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Wordsworth Classics of World Literature) by Edward Gibbon Buy new: £3.79

Has anyone compared this to the full edition? Is the abridgement "good enough"?

I've read other Wordsworth books and have found the paper & print "good enough" for at least one read through ... as good as Penguin...

[hellsapoppin]

''Constantine's conversion to Christianity''


I read the book in college nearly half a century ago. OK, I exaggerate. If I recall correctly, Gibbons said that this was the point where Rome's fate was sealed. That once Christianity was established as the state religion, it marked an irreversible decline and the ultimate fall of the empire. Furthermore, this is one of the reason's why our Founding Fathers demanded the separation of church and state in order to strengthen and perpetuate the republic.

[dfloyd]

of Decline anf Fall in recent years. The Limited Editions Club published the classic one with the Piranesi etchings in the 1940s. It is in six volumes with the crumbling pilllars on the spine, with the pillars crumbling a little more on each volume. The Heritage Press reprinted the LEC version in three volumes, and it is available in the used book market (ABE) quite inexpensively. The Easton Press has published, from time to time, a three or four volume reprint of the famous LEC one which is available on the used book market, as well as the new book market when they offer a reprint. The Folio Society has published an 8-volume edition, bound more modernly in vellum, which they offered free of charge a couple of years ago as a bonus for renewing a Folio Society membership.