The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Volume 8Jazzybee Verlag, 3. sep. 2020 - 784 sider In judging the 'The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' it should carefully be observed that it falls into two parts which are heterogeneous in the method of treatment. The first part, a little more than five-eighths of the work, supplies a very full history of 460 years (A.D. 180–641); the second and smaller part is a summary history of about 800 years (A.D. 641–1453) in which certain episodes are selected for fuller treatment and so made prominent. To the first part unstinted praise must be accorded; it may be said that, with the materials at the author’s disposition, it hardly admitted of improvement, except in trifling details. But the second, notwithstanding the brilliancy of the narrative and the masterly art in the grouping of events, suffers from a radical defect which renders it a misleading guide. The author designates the story of the later empire at Constantinople (after Heraclius) as “a uniform tale of weakness and misery,” a judgment which is entirely false; and in accordance with this doctrine, he makes the empire, which is his proper subject, merely a string for connecting great movements which affected it, such as the Saracen conquests, the Crusades, the Mongol invasions, the Turkish conquests. He failed to bring out the momentous fact that up to the 12th century the empire was the bulwark of Europe against the East, nor did he appreciate its importance in preserving the heritage of Greek civilization. He compressed into a single chapter the domestic history and policy of the emperors from the son of Heraclius to Isaac Angelus; and did no justice to the remarkable ability and the indefatigable industry shown in the service of the state by most of the sovereigns from Leo III. to Basil II. He did not penetrate into the deeper causes underlying the revolutions and palace intrigues. His eye rested only on superficial characteristics which have served to associate the name “Byzantine” with treachery, cruelty, bigotry and decadence. It was reserved for Finlay to depict, with greater knowledge and a juster perception, the lights and shades of Byzantine history. Thus the later part of the Decline and Fall, while the narrative of certain episodes will always be read with profit, does not convey a true idea of the history of the empire or of its significance in the history of Europe. It must be added that the pages on the Slavonic peoples and their relations to the empire are conspicuously insufficient; but it must be taken into account that it was not till many years after Gibbon’s death that Slavonic history began to receive due attention, in consequence of the rise of competent scholars among the Slavs themselves. This is volume eight out of twelve. |
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... tyrant were instantly removed, they would consult their own happiness in the choice of a master. The apprehension of a revolt was urged by the voice of envy and detraction, which had so recently triumphed over the merit of Belisarius. A ...
... tyrant were instantly removed, they would consult their own happiness in the choice of a master. The apprehension of a revolt was urged by the voice of envy and detraction, which had so recently triumphed over the merit of Belisarius. A ...
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... tyrants. Ref. 028 When the nephew of Justinian ascended the throne, he proclaimed a new era of happiness and glory. The annals of the second Justin Ref. 029 are marked with disgrace abroad and misery at home. In the West, the Roman ...
... tyrants. Ref. 028 When the nephew of Justinian ascended the throne, he proclaimed a new era of happiness and glory. The annals of the second Justin Ref. 029 are marked with disgrace abroad and misery at home. In the West, the Roman ...
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... Tyrant, is deposed — Usurpation of Bahram — Flight and Restoration of Chosroes II. — His Gratitude to the Romans — The Chagan of the Avars — Revolt of the Army against Maurice — His Death — Tyranny of Phocas — Elevation of Heraclius ...
... Tyrant, is deposed — Usurpation of Bahram — Flight and Restoration of Chosroes II. — His Gratitude to the Romans — The Chagan of the Avars — Revolt of the Army against Maurice — His Death — Tyranny of Phocas — Elevation of Heraclius ...
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... tyrant exulted in the sufferings and execution of thirteen thousand victims. As the excuse of his cruelty, he sometimes condescended to observe that the fears of the Persians would be productive of hatred, and that their hatred must ...
... tyrant exulted in the sufferings and execution of thirteen thousand victims. As the excuse of his cruelty, he sometimes condescended to observe that the fears of the Persians would be productive of hatred, and that their hatred must ...
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... tyrant. The defection was rapid and universal; his loyal slaves were sacrificed to the public fury; the troops deserted to the standard of Bahram; and the provinces again saluted the deliverer of his country. As the passes were ...
... tyrant. The defection was rapid and universal; his loyal slaves were sacrificed to the public fury; the troops deserted to the standard of Bahram; and the provinces again saluted the deliverer of his country. As the passes were ...
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The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volum 8 Edward Gibbon Uten tilgangsbegrensning - 1788 |
Vanlige uttrykk og setninger
ancient appeared arms army arts authority Barbarians bishops body brother Byzantine capital Catholics century character Charlemagne Chosroes Christ Christian chronicle church command conquest Constantine Constantinople council danger death East ecclesiastical edition Egypt emperor empire enemy equal eyes faith father friends Greek Gregory hand head Heraclius Hist holy honour human hundred images Imperial important interest Italy John Justinian king kingdom land Latin learned less letters lives Lombards marriage Maurice Michael monks nature Nicephorus observe Oriental original palace patriarch peace perhaps period Persian person Pope present prince probably provinces received reign religion restored Roman Rome royal senate soldiers soon sources sovereign spirit subjects succession successor synod Theophanes third thousand throne translation tyrant victory virtues zeal