The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

last lifetime edition

A charming twelve-volume set of this classic work, and the last edition to be published in Gibbon's (1737-1794) lifetime.

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire continues to rank as a 'masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style and has remained one of the ageless historical works which... maintain their hold upon the layman and continue to stimulate the scholar' (PMM).

Controversial since its first appearance, Gibbon argued that Rome's fall was the 'natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness. Prosperity ripened the principle of decay; the causes of destruction multiplied with the extent of conquest; and as soon as time or accident had removed the artificial supports, the stupendous fabric yielded to the pressure of its own weight' (c.38, p.523). As a result, this hollow empire succumbed easily to the twin forces of barbarianism and Christianity which had been gaining momentum over the course of the fourth century AD.

Although attacked for his perceived irreligion, Gibbon's work received many positive reviews and has since become a cornerstone text in the study of Western history. Writing to Gibbon in December 1788, his friend Adam Smith noted that 'by the universal assent of every man of taste and learning... [Decline and Fall] sets you at the very head of the whole literary tribe at present existing in Europe' (ODNB).

With three folding maps showing the extent of the Roman Empire, and an informative preface giving a short biography of Gibbon.

12 vols; 8vo (22 x 14 cm); engraved frontispiece and 3 folding maps, early underlining in red crayon and pencil and pen and pencil marginal annotations to first 4 vols, thereafter infrequent, pen note to front free endpaper recto of vol. 8; contemporary mottled calf, gilt spines in 6 compartment, contrasting green morocco lettering pieces, edges stained yellow, a little rubbed and abraded with minor loss, very good.

ESTC T79691; Norton 38; cf.PMM 222.