The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

Lore & Background

Gibbon's initial plan was to write a history of the decline and fall of the city of Rome, later expanding his scope to the whole Roman Empire. He devoted much of his life to this work, comparing each published 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.

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.