The personalized six-volume "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" by Edward Gibbon (1776-88) is one of the most impressive and ambitious narratives in European literature. Its subject is the fate of one of the world's greatest civilizations over a period of thirteen centuries - its rulers, wars, and society, as well as the events that led to its catastrophic collapse. In volumes one and two, Gibbon records the vast extent and structure of the Empire from the era of Augustus until 395 AD. In a controversial critique, he examines the early Church, with fascinating accounts of the first Christians and the last pagan emperors, Constantine and Julian.

Pages: 1232, Dimensions: 12.9x12.9cm