The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
A six-volume Enlightenment history of Rome's decline.
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, sometimes shortened to *Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire*, is a six-volume work by the English historian Edward Gibbon. The six volumes cover a vast chronological span, from the peak of the Roman Empire in 98 AD to the fall of Byzantium in 1590. Its scope includes the history of early Christianity and its emergence as the Roman state religion, the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the rise of Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, and discussions on the ruins of Ancient Rome. Volume I was first published in February 1776 by William Strahan and Thomas Cadell, and was reissued in a succession of six revised editions between 1776 and 1789. Volumes II and III appeared in 1781, and the final three volumes were issued together in 1788. Gibbon’s initial plan was to write a history of the decline and fall of the city of Rome, only later expanding his scope to the whole Roman Empire. He devoted much of his life to this work, comparing the publication of each succeeding volume to a newborn child. Gibbon drew on sources such as Montesquieu’s *Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and their Decline*, Voltaire’s *Essay on Universal History*, and Bossuet’s *Discourse on Universal History*. His thesis explains the fall of the Roman Empire as due in large part to the gradual loss of civic virtue among its citizens, and he began an ongoing controversy about the role of Christianity, though he gave great weight to other causes of internal decline and attacks from outside. Gibbon’s tone was detached, dispassionate, and yet critical, occasionally lapsing into moralisation and aphorism.
- author
- Edward Gibbon
- field
- History
- nationality
- English
- known_for
- The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
- number_of_volumes
- 6
Lore & Background
Gibbon’s six-volume work traces the Roman Empire from its peak in 98 AD through the rise of Christianity as the state religion, the collapse of the Western Empire, the campaigns of Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, and the fall of Byzantium in 1590, concluding with reflections on the ruins of ancient Rome. The first volume appeared in February 1776, published by William Strahan and Thomas Cadell, and was reissued in six revised editions through 1789. Volumes two and three followed in 1781, with the final three volumes released together in 1788. The first edition was printed in quarto format, with octavo reprints beginning in 1783. Gibbon’s tone is detached and critical, occasionally lapsing into moralization and aphorism. He argues that the empire fell largely due to a gradual loss of civic virtue among its citizens, compounded by barbarian invasions. His controversial emphasis on Christianity’s role—claiming it diverted wealth from state affairs to the Church, encouraged monastic withdrawal, and promoted pacifism that reduced military service—sparked ongoing debate. Gibbon held the Middle Ages in contempt as a superstitious, priest-ridden era, viewing his own “Age of Reason” as the resumption of human progress. He defended his work against numerous critical tracts with a 1779 publication titled *A Vindication of Some Passages in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Chapters*.
Reader's Guide
Gibbon's work offers an explanation for the fall of the Roman Empire, attributing it largely to a gradual loss of civic virtue and to barbarian invasions. He began an ongoing controversy about the role of Christianity, arguing that it contributed to internal decline, though he also gave weight to other causes. His tone was detached, dispassionate, and critical, occasionally lapsing into moralisation. Gibbon's central thesis—that embracing Christianity caused the fall—is not widely accepted by scholars today. Critics note that his hostile views on the Byzantine Empire were flawed, and his estimates of Christian martyrs were far lower than traditionally accepted. Despite this, the work remains influential, with many later writers using variations on its title, such as The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.
Did You Know?
- Gibbon compared the publication of each succeeding volume to a newborn child.
- Gibbon's Vindication was written in response to attacks on his portrayal of Christianity.
- The book was forbidden in the Kingdom of Brazil by censor José da Silva Lisboa but later permitted by Francisco de Borja Garção Stockler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire?
Edward Gibbon, an English historian, authored this six-volume work. It is widely regarded as one of the defining texts of Enlightenment-era historiography.
What is the controversial thesis of The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire?
Gibbon argued that adopting Christianity as the state religion eroded the martial vigor and civic unity that had sustained Roman power. This claim ignited decades of heated debate among historians and theologians.
Why is The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire considered important?
It introduced a detached, evidence-driven approach to writing history that broke sharply from earlier religious and hagiographic traditions. Its critical tone and sweeping narrative made it a cornerstone of modern secular historiography.
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