Quotessence
Home / Books / The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition

Book by Edward Gibbon · 10 quotes · History, Roman Empire, Government

Filter quotes by topic

AllHistoryRoman EmpireGovernmentIfsEmperorPeopleRepublicVirtueWarYearsArmsConditionsEffectsEnemyImpressionLegionMayModerationPeriodsSentiments

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition Quotes

“The image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence: the Roman senate appeared to possess the sovereign authority, and devolved on the emperors all the executive powers of government. During a happy period (A.D. 98-180) of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines.”

YearsTwoGovernmentAbilityHistoryVirtuePeriodsAuthorityConstitutionAdministrationDecentExecutivesSenateReverenceSovereignEmperorRoman EmpireExecutive PowerHadrian
Book:The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition
Create image

“That public virtue which among the ancients was denominated patriotism, is derived from a strong sense of our own interest in the preservation and prosperity of the free government of which we are members. Such a sentiment, which had rendered the legions of the republic almost invincible, could make but a very feeble impression on the mercenary servants of a despotic prince; and it became necessary to supply that defect by other motives, of a different, but not less forcible nature; honour and religion.”

DifferentGovernmentStrongInterestHistoryVirtueMembersProsperityImpressionServantMotiveSentimentsRepublicHonourPreservationDefectsInvincibleRoman EmpireLegionFree GovernmentMercenary
Book:The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition
Create image

“The two Antonines (for it is of them that we are now speaking) governed the Roman world forty-two years, with the same invariable spirit of wisdom and virtue. ... Their united reigns are possibly the only period of history in which the happiness of a great people was the sole object of government.”

PeopleWorldYearsTwoGovernmentSpiritUnitedHistoryVirtueObjectsPeriodsFortyTwo YearsSoleReignGreat PeopleRoman Empire
Book:The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition
Create image

“The distinctions of personal merit and influence, so conspicuous in a republic, so feeble and obscure under a monarchy, were abolished by the despotism of the emperors; who substituted in their room a severe subordination of rank and office, from the titled slaves who were seated on the steps of the throne, to the meanest instruments of arbitrary power.”

RoomsStepsHistoryInfluenceOfficeInstrumentsSlaveMeritDistinctionRepublicThronesSevereObscureArbitraryMonarchyEmperorDespotismRoman EmpireSubordination
Book:The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition
Create image

“The Romans, who so coolly and so concisely mention the acts of justice which were exercised by the legions, reserve their compassion and their eloquence for their own sufferings, when the provinces were invaded and desolated by the arms of the successful Barbarians.”

SufferingJusticeCompassionHistorySuccessfulArmsReservesEloquenceProvincesBarbariansRoman EmpireLegion
Book:The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition
Create image

“Yet the people, and even the clergy, incapable of forming any rational judgment of the business of peace and war, presumed to arraign the policy of Stilicho, who so often vanquished, so often surrounded, and so often dismissed the implacable enemy of the republic. The first moment of the public safety is devoted to gratitude and joy; but the second is diligently occupied by envy and calumny.”

PeopleFirstsWarMomentsJoyEnemyHistoryPolicyGratitudeJudgmentSafetyEnvyRationalRepublicDevotedIncapableRoman EmpireClergyCalumnyPublic Safety
Book:The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition
Create image

“The incapacity of a weak and distracted government may often assume the appearance and produce the effects of a treasonable correspondence with the public enemy. If Alaric himself had been introduced into the council of Ravenna, he would probably have advised the same measures which were actually pursued by the ministers of Honorius.”

IfsMayGovernmentEnemyHistoryEffectsProduceWeakAssumingAppearanceMinistersCouncilDistractedPursuedRoman EmpireCorrespondenceIncapacityPublic Enemies
Book:The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition
Create image

“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.”

MayLongEarthHeavenRaceHistoryDutyTasksWeakErrorsCorruptionInevitablePurityNativeMelancholyHistorianTheologianMixturesIndulgeDescribingDegeneratesResidence
Book:The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition
Create image

“Hope, the best comfort of our imperfect condition, was not denied to the Roman slave; and if he had any opportunity of rendering himself either useful or agreeable, he might very naturally expect that the diligence and fidelity of a few years would be rewarded with the inestimable gift of freedom.”

IfsYearsMightWould BeOpportunityHistoryConditionsComfortSlaveDeniedImperfectFidelityDiligenceRoman EmpireRendering
Book:The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edited and Abridged): Abridged Edition
Create image