The Christians and the Fall of Rome

by Edward Gibbon

Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization, and helped make us who we are.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Religion, Classics, Philosophy, Ancient History, World History

91 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1776

About the author

Edward Gibbon (8 May 1737 – 16 January 1794) was an English historian and Member of Parliament. His most important work, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, was published in six volumes between 1776 and 1788. The Decline and Fall is known for the quality and irony of its prose, its use of primary sources, and its open criticism of organised religion.

Gibbon returned to England in June 1765. His father died in 1770, and after tending to the estate, which was by no means in good condition, there remained quite enough for Gibbon to settle fashionably in London at 7 Bentinck Street, independent of financial concerns. By February 1773, he was writing in earnest, but not without the occasional self-imposed distraction. He took to London society quite easily, and joined the better social clubs, including Dr. Johnson's Literary Club, and looked in from time to time on his friend Holroyd in Sussex. He succeeded Oliver Goldsmith at the Royal Academy as 'professor in ancient history' (honorary but prestigious). In late 1774, he was initiated a freemason of the Premier Grand Lodge of England. And, perhaps least productively in that same year, he was returned to the House of Commons for Liskeard, Cornwall through the intervention of his relative and patron, Edward Eliot. He became the archetypal back-bencher, benignly "mute" and "indifferent," his support of the Whig ministry invariably automatic. Gibbon's indolence in that position, perhaps fully intentional, subtracted little from the progress of his writing.

After several rewrites, with Gibbon "often tempted to throw away the labours of seven years," the first volume of what would become his life's major achievement, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, was published on 17 February 1776. Through 1777, the reading public eagerly consumed three editions for which Gibbon was rewarded handsomely: two-thirds of the profits amounting to approximately £1,000. Biographer Leslie Stephen wrote that thereafter, "His fame was as rapid as it has been lasting." And as regards this first volume, "Some warm praise from David Hume overpaid the labour of ten years."

Volumes II and III appeared on 1 March 1781, eventually rising "to a level with the previous volume in general esteem." Volume IV was finished in June 1784; the final two were completed during a second Lausanne sojourn (September 1783 to August 1787) where Gibbon reunited with his friend Deyverdun in leisurely comfort. By early 1787, he was "straining for the goal" and with great relief the project was finished in June. Gibbon later wrote:

It was on the day, or rather the night, of 27 June 1787, between the hours of eleven and twelve, that I wrote the last lines of the last page in a summer-house in my garden. ... I will not dissemble the first emotions of joy on the recovery of my freedom, and perhaps the establishment of my fame. But my pride was soon humbled, and a sober melancholy was spread over my mind by the idea that I had taken my everlasting leave of an old and agreeable companion, and that, whatsoever might be the future date of my history, the life of the historian must be short and precarious.

Volumes IV, V, and VI finally reached the press in May 1788, their publication having been delayed since March so it could coincide with a dinner party celebrating Gibbon's 51st birthday (the 8th). Mounting a bandwagon of praise for the later volumes were such contemporary luminaries as Adam Smith, William Robertson, Adam Ferguson, Lord Camden, and Horace Walpole. Smith remarked that Gibbon's triumph had positioned him "at the very head of [Europe's] literary tribe."

Reviews

[Julian Worker · Rating 4 out of 5]

In its day this book was regarded as iconoclastic and subversive as it indicted the delusory nature of faith.

The book is one mass of text and you have to plough through the whole book without any break for a new chapter. As there's only 91 pages then it's not so difficult, but make sure you choose your breaks well as it's difficult to start re-reading the text in any given place as each sentence seems to build on the previous one.

Essentially, Gibbon says that Christianity spread with such success in the Roman Empire due to exclusive zeal, the immediate expectation of another world, the claim of miracles, the practice of rigid virtue, and the constitution of the primitive church.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting little pamphlet that basically describes how the Christian Faith managed to get a foothold over the Mediterranean in Syria, Palestine and Rome, and how it then later superseded the old Polytheist Pagan beliefs, most notably with Emperor Constantine whom adopted the faith for the official Roman Empire. In fact, the title of this pamphlet is misleading; it does not go into the Fall of Rome by the Goths at all, but rather describes, using a rational analyses and hypothesis, what distinguished the Christian Faith from the old Pagan ways and how, because of the adoption of it from Rome, ended up in the first few hundred years after Jesus died, spreading across Northern Africa and Europe - the Roman Empire - because it was taught from missionaries using the Roman road network.

Edward Gibbon uses a rational approach to this study, and probably for when he wrote it in the 18th Century, would most certainly roused a few peoples feathers as he is openly quite cutting and critical against organised religion, although towards the final few pages of the pamphlet he describes that originally Christianity was meant for the poor, meek, beggars, women and orphans. Its adherents and its focus was on the 'dregs' of society, some of whom later rose to prominence from their Faith. I found that interesting.

Essentially an Enlightenment text, and I suppose his 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire', his main noted work, is also a product of these years. Interesting in some parts, quite cutting and maybe even ruthless in some sections.

[Texbritreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this excerpt from "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", presented as part of Penguin's Great Ideas series, to be brilliant. Gibbon addresses the rise of Christianity as a solely historical event, free of all religious belief which commonly filled historical and journalistic writings from the late 18th century.

While he frankly concedes some of the attractions and merits of the early Christian church, he is unafraid to present the inner machinations and political aspects of the church and it's place on a broader world stage full of power plays and bids for popular influence.

His style is frequently ironic with dashes of sly wit but also balanced, erudite and lucid. It is not difficult to see why the original text from which this book is derived has been so influential. An admirable writer well deserving his place in the literary pantheon, Gibbon richly deserves to be as read and emulated today as he has been the past.

[Charlotte Dann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was enlightening. I feel enlightened. Never before have I dissected elements of the Christian religion, and it kind of made me angry. Here's a video about it.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christianity flourished in the Roman Empire because of its promise of life after death, which the pagans and Jews did not believe. It also looked after the poor, widows, and orphans through donations from members. It spread with ease through the empire because of the road system established to move Legions to the far corners of the empire.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, really. Interesting observations about the rise of Christianity in Rome and further afield, but the writer’s prose is too heavy for me to enjoy.

This must have been super scandalous on release as the author is generally sceptical of organised religion and Christianity in particular.

[James Badger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was somewhat disappointed to find that this is not really a standalone work, but rather an excerpt of Gibbon's larger and more important work on the rise and fall of the Rome.

That said, I really enjoyed the precision of Gibbon's prose. I can see why this portion of his work was not particularly well-received by the Christians of the day. It reveals the reality of early Christendom: multiple fragmentary groups with no consistent theology. It shows, and quit controversially so, that the Christianity we have today is the result of human construction.

Given the high degree of clarity and controversy in this silver of Gibbon's work, I really think I should acquire more of his work.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this no doubt must have been quite the book for its time - it's unadulterated articulation of early Christianity would no doubt have been considered heretical by 18th century standards - it has lost its edge in modern times. This is not to say Gibbon's writing is mundane or that the book is unimportant - far from it - but as I've mentioned, there is nothing particularly shocking in this abridged excerpt that anyone interested in early Christianity would not be aware of.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gibbon's book was banned for the crime of disrespecting the character of sacred Christian doctrine, by "treat[ing] the Christian church as a phenomenon of general history, not a special case admitting supernatural explanations and disallowing criticism of its adherents".

It's precisely for this reason that he can look at early Christianity as a historical phenomenon and can create a more rounded picture of its impact on the Roman Empire.

[Fernando Pestana da Costa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short extract of the great oeuvre of Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline an Fall of the Roman Empire, this book is concerned with the primitive Christians and the spread of Christianity in the roman world. Considering this was written and published in 1776, it is a matter of wonder to see the very unflattering way the primitive Christians, their beliefs, and their way of living is sometimes portrayed by Gibbons.

[Júlia Camargos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do ponto de vista de escrita, Edward Gibbon é um excelente escritor, bem irônico, inclusive. Mas sua tese, no entanto, pouco apetece o cenário de "queda" do Império Romano. Aliás, uma das principais críticas que circundam esse autor é justamente a continuidade do cristianismo no Império Bizantino, o que entra em embate a sua ideia de que, com o crescimento da influência cristã, o fim deu-se a Roma.

[Scarlett Castleberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk I feel like I learned more about Enlightenment era antisemitism than I did Christians and/or their relationship to the fall of Rome. I still feel like I gotta give it at least 3 for being a “great classic” but idk.
Was kinda boring, and I don’t feel like I personally learned anything new. I could see it being interesting in its time, I guess, but idk it’s just not the dramatic game-changer some make it out to be.

[Alasdair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure this works as a fillet from the larger work - it's too much in isolation. Needs the bigger context. Also misleading title: Gibbon doesn't suggest Christians were responsible for fall of Rome, and much of this is development of early church, not decline of Rome. Not a problem, just not what the title suggests.

[Danielle Solinsky]

The theologian may indulge the pleasing task of describing Religion as she descended from Heaven, arrayed in her native purity. A more melancholy duty is imposed on the historian. He must discover the inevitable mixture of error and corruption, which she contracted in a long residence upon earth, among a weak and degenerate race of beings.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great logical insights into how Christianity became popular during Roman times, and the rest is history now. Great critical insights into the early behaviour of Christian leaders even though this was written in the 1700s.

[One · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent book even if largely dismissed by contemporary scholarship.

[Stephen Burridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief excerpt from the great classic.

[Evillcat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pouco aborda de fato e por falta de teses e conclusões acaba ficando muito no achismo, uma pena pois parecia interessante

[Giovanna Calabria · Rating 3 out of 5]

"nem a crença nem os desejos dos pais da Igreja podem, contudo, alterar a verdade histórica."

3.5/5

[Graham Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lovely cover.

[John Mannion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much on the fall of Rome, but some magnificent put downs of various religious types in the early Christian era.

[Zoë Birss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating skeptic's view of the early history of the Christian church.

Though unabashed racism generally and anti-semitism specifically are not unusual to find in old classics, in this one it is essential to the writer's message. His is a very high opinion of the Roman Republic, her philosophies, myths, and government, from which he claims the greatest nations of the eighteenth century have descended, the European nations of which he is a part. Against these grand nations he compares the ancient Jewish people, and with this disparagement he begins his book, and lays upon it the foundation for his later condemnation of the Jesus sect that was birthed from them.

Chief among his judgments of the Jewish nation and the Christianities that followed it is their intolerance toward any other form of worship, polytheism and idolatry in particular, and their inability to assimilate with surrounding nations and cultures which followed that intolerance. From here, he tracks the growth and development of the early church, especially the relationship of the early Jesus followers to their Jewish brothers and sisters, the belief in miracles as a foundation to their faith and conviction, the early dealings with schismatic groups and sects, and the rise of the early church government.

An elementary understanding of the history of the early church will help in understanding this book. The writer assumes this knowledge of the reader. If a reader has only carefully read and understood the book of Acts, this may be sufficient, as the history in this book follows Luke's history quite closely.

As a Christian and anarchist, I found this book to be one of the most enlightening short reads I've had when it comes to forming an understanding of the relationship of the early Christians to empire, and how the expression of the faith that followed Jesus stood in resistance to the earthly Powers, grew among them, and nonviolently tore them down by their subtle aggravation and consistent undermining of those authorities as they made them irrelevant by that presence as an alternative nation among them.

I do not share the author's antisemitism or white supremacy. Nor do I share the author's veneration of the myths and philosophies of the violent Roman Empire over the simple faith of the colonized Jews or the persecuted Christians. I am, in fact, intolerant, exactly as this author suggests. I will not tolerate the ambition of empire, or the self serving idols of nationalism, racism, or class. I do not tolerate violence or powers of greed and acquisition. I am intolerant. I will live apart. This book was inspiring to me, as I celebrate the fall of empire then and now, by the simple, foolish, slow and unassuming growth of the Kingdom of God that will ultimately cause its final ruin and bring it to its final judgment.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome.

I've always had an interest in Gibbon's The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, but I'd never really thought about it. This excerpt (part of the wonderful Penguin Books Great Ideas series) may have pushed me to the point where I have to! A brilliant and logical challenge to faith and religion, written some 250 years ago, when such ideas must have still been rather scandalous. Don't get wrong, he never approaches the subject from the Atheist angle, but rather just from a rational viewpoint of human nature.

And the writing is quite witty and entertaining, much less dry than I would expect from a book written in the 18th century.

[Matt Ryall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been meaning to read Gibbon's epic, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, so this excerpt provided a good way to get into it.

The title is perhaps a bit misleading. Gibbon doesn't really describe any relationship between the Christians and the fall of Rome, he just talks about the early church, how it rose, and how these events coincided with changes in the late Roman empire. Still, I found this area of discussion very interesting.

Despite the interesting topic, I struggled to get through the dense prose at times. I'd recommend reading this only when you have dedicated time to sit and carefully pull apart the sentences.

[Liz Polding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and probably quite shocking when first written, this charts the progress of Christianity from its early days of democratic and quiet emergence to the aggressive proselytising and hierarchical splendour of the emergent Catholic Church. Quite savage in places and particularly relevant now that the unshakable power of the church has been, well, shaken. Gibbon is fairly scathing about faith itself, but his main attack is on the church itself, with faith receiving a lesser blow as a rather odd form of self deception.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gibbon writes, "In the course of this important, though perhaps tedious inquiry,..." I rather suspect that the book is not as important now as it was in the author's day. however the its tediousness remain undiminished. That said, there are still some useful insights, "The loss of sensual pleasure was supplied and compensated by spiritual pride"

[Amber Berry]

I'm not sure how this got onto my library "for later" bookshelf, but I borrowed it. It's a slim volume, and that could be deceptive. I've sometimes thought I should read Gibbon, so this may be my chance.

[Kevin K · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good sampling of Gibbon on the development of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Unfortunately the excerpt doesn't discuss Christianity as a contributing factor to the fall of Rome, as you would expect from the title.

[Ashley Rindsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gibbon got style.

[YVAN NOIR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pff! Libro complicado y sólo para quién ya esté inmerso en la historia antigua.
3 estrellas porque seguramente tendrá mucho valor histórico la obra de Gibbon.