Why read The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire?

Book cover of The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

Book description

Spanning thirteen centuries from the age of Trajan to the taking of Constantinople by the Turks, DECLINE & FALL is one of the greatest narratives in European Literature. David Womersley's masterly selection and bridging commentary enables the readerto acquire a general sense of the progress and argument of the whole…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Lilith Saintcrow

Author

I was in love the moment I opened an abridged version of Gibbon’s magnum opus as a young history buff, and was even more delighted when I sought out the multivolume full experience.

Gibbon’s view of the Roman Empire is magisterial and his footnotes are a cranky delight; he’s up-front when his sources have axes to grind and sourly suspicious of his own motivations.

Sure, he’s an 18th-century British colonialist with all that entails. He’s also deliciously ironic, hilariously sardonic, and does his mightiest justice when he’s skewering folly and tyranny of any stripe.

From Lilith's list on European history books for writing Western epic fantasy.

Duane W. Roller

Author

This is the first great study of the Roman world. Although over 200 years old, it is still influential in the way we look at Rome. It is also one of the great monuments of English prose. Although we may no longer agree with many of his conclusions, it is a joy to read and helps us understand the basis of the Roman world.

From Duane's list on ancient Rome from an archaeologist and historian.