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ROMAN EMPIRE -THE HISTORY...
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THE HISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE VOLUME I ~ SYLLABUS
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VOLUME I
It was at Rome, on the 15th of October 1764, as I sat musing amid the ruins of the capitol, while the barefooted friars were singing vespers in the temple of Jupiter, that the idea of writing the decline and fall of the city first started to my mind,' recorded Edward Gibbon with characteristic exactitude. Over a period of some twenty years, the luminous eighteenth-century historian--a precise, dapper, idiosyncratic little gentleman famous for rapping his snuff-box--devoted his considerable genius to writing an epic chronicle of the entire Roman Empire's decline. His single flash of inspiration produced what is arguably the greatest historical work in any language--and surely the most magnificent narrative history ever written in English. 'Gibbon is one of those few who hold as high a place in the history of literature as in the roll of great historians,' noted Professor J.B. Bury, his most celebrated editor.
http://infao5501.ag5.mpi-sb.mpg.de:80...
Mod
This Edition is called Volume I and the ISBN number is ISBN 9780140433937
Here is the edition:
The next two volumes Volume the Third and Volume the Fourth are in the Volume 2 Penguin Classic Editon: (we will not be reading this segment as a book club discussion this time); but here is the link -
The last two volumes Volume the Fifth and Volume the Sixth are in the Volume 3 Penguin Classic Edition (we will not be reading this segment as a book club discussion this time); but here is the link -
The cover on the one I saw is not the above but the ISBN number is the same: here is the link from Penguin (it has the same cover as the other two but it has Volume 3 on its spine, it is the same price $24.95):
http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/Bo...
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PROJECT GUTENBERG:
http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/autho...
THE ONLINE LIBRARY OF LIBERTY (THE ONE EDITED BY John Bagnell Bury - very well respected)
http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?...
CHRISTIAN CLASSICS:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/gibbon/decli...
LIBRIVOX - AUDIO:
http://librivox.org/newcatalog/search...
Mod
If you ever wanted to begin reading Gibbon, this is your chance.
Mod
Start:
May 10th
End:
August 29th
We will have two weeks off before we begin the next book on September 13th.
Thanks, Bentley, for the heads up and warnings about getting the right book. It is nice to know far enough ahead of time that I can get the book without a rush. I'm excited to read Gibbon.
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I've considered buying "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" for sometime now, this may be the stimulus I need to do so.
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I'm looking forward to the read, as I'm taking some time off to deal with teaching right now, so I appreciate the information about the edition. It did seem rather confusing at first, but ISBN is very helpful.
Mod
I'm really excited about finally tackling this book. I can't tell you how many times I've carried it around Borders with me, but ultimately decided to not buy it. I even had a debate about whether the abridged version would be just as worthwhile as the unabridged. At any rate, thank you everyone who chose this book.
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Well if you do I can send you another invitation because you declined the other one for this offering. You will not get a reminder otherwise..so let me know.
I haven't decided yet Bentley, as soon as I do I will let you know ASAP.
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Soooo many books Bentley and so little time in the day!
I am going to have to look up my copy of Gibbon's work. No, its not a Penguin copy, but it will have to do.
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We are glad to have you.
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When you post if you cite a book or author, you must provide the book cover, the author's link and photo if available so that the goodreads software is able to populate the site.
Vicki wrote: "How do these discussions work? Do we all get into this thread and post comments?"Vicki,
If you were asking specifically about discussing Gibbon's book, the official group read and discussion won't start until May 10. Usually the syllabus thread is where Bentley posts information about what edition most people will be using, the table of contents, and, as the time gets closer, the schedule for what chapters/pages will be discussed each week. Once May 10th comes around, there will be threads each week in the "Spotlighted Topics" folder covering discussions about each week's reading in the Gibbons book. (Similar to how things are organized for the current spotlighted read, The First World War.)
Since Gibbon's book covers such a broad topic (Rome), Bentley also has a folder of threads dedicated to "Roman Empire -- The History" here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...
The first message in the "GETTING ACQUAINTED -THE HISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE" thread (here) will explain the purpose of that folder. Those threads would be a good place to discuss and share your knowledge of the Roman Empire while waiting for May 10.
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Yes, thanks from me too, Elizabeth. As a newbie I appreciate all the help I can get. I'm checking out the threads you mentioned. Can't wait for May 10.
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Bentley wrote: "Everyone,When we complete The First World War by Keegan:
John Keeganwe will be moving on to our next spotlighted book which is The History of ..."
Bentley,I've gone to Borders and found the Penguin Books copy (Volume I) with the right ISBN number @ $24.95; however, the book cover is different and the book is 1232 pages. Am I doing something wrong or is this copy the one I should order?
Robert
Mod
In the Penguin Classics editions; it appears in their Volume I, they have Volume the First (1776) and Volume the Second (1781).
This Edition is called Volume I and the ISBN number is ISBN 9780140433937 - It should be unabridged. The price is the same.
Mod
For those of you trying to plan out your reading for Volume I - The reading takes place over 16 weeks - there are 16 chapters - a chapter a week.
Plus a segment of the introduction which is lengthy. I will divide up the introduction in terms of the 16 weeks so we do not lose momentum at the beginning.
My advice is to begin reading Chapter One for the first week's reading which in my edition begins on page 31 and ends on page 55. (24 pages)
For the introduction - read at least pages xi to xxii (11 pages).
That should put you in great shape and you should be ahead of the game by planning to read a chapter a week and 10 - 15 pages of the introduction a week.
I have the Penguin Classics Edition as noted above. We will only be doing Volume I.
Bentley
Mod
Bentley has kindly put this together for the group.
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire – Volume I
Note: We are only doing Volume The First
SYLLABUS:
Table of Contents
Introduction xi - cvi
A Note on the Text – cvii – cviii
Acknowledgements – cix
Selected Further Readings – cx – cxi
Chronology – cxii –cxiii
Preface – 1 – 4
Advertisement 5
TOC – First Volume
ONE: The Extent and Military Force of the Empire, in the Age of the Antonines p. 31
TWO: Of the Union and Internal Prosperity of the Roman Empire in the Age of the Antonines p. 56
THREE: Of the Constitution of the Roman Empire in the Age of the Antonines p. 85
FOUR: The Cruelty, Follies, and Murder of Commodus – Election of Pertinax – His Attempts to reform the State. – His Assassination by the Pretorian Guards. p. 108
FIVE: Public Sale of the Empire to Didius Julianus by the Praetorian Guards. – Clodius Albinus in Britain, Pescennius Niger in Syria, and Septimius Severus in Pannonia, declare against the Murderers of Pertinax. – Civil Wars and Victory of Severus over his three Rivals. – Relaxation of Discipline, - New Maxims of Government. p. 127
SIX: The Death of Severus. – Tyranny of Caracellaa. – Usurpation of Macrinus. – Follies of Elagabulus. – Virtues of Alexander Severus. – Licentiousness of the Army. – General State of the Roman Finances. – p. 149
SEVEN: The Elevation and Tyranny of Maximin. – Rebellion in Africa and Italy, under the Authority of the Senate. – Civil Wars and Seditions. – Violent Deaths of Maximin and his Son, of Maximus and Balbinus, and of the three Gordians. – surpation and secular Games of Philip. p. 187
EIGHT: Of the State of Persia after the Restoration of the Monarchy of Artaxerxes p. 213
NINE: The State of Germany till the Invasion of the Barbarians, in the Time of the Emperor Decius. p. 230
TEN: The Emperor Decius, Gallus, Aemilianus, Valerian, and Gallienus. – The general Irruption of the Barbarians, - The thirty Tyrants. p. 253
ELEVEN: Reign of Claudius. – Defeat of the Goths. – Victories, Triumph, and Death of Aurelian. p. 295
TWELVE: Conduct of the Army and Senate after the Death of Aurelian. – Reigns of Tacitus, Probus, Carus, and his Sons. P. 327
THIRTEEN: The Reign of Diocletian and his three Associates, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius, - General Re-establishment of Order and Tranquility. – The Persian War, Victory and Triumph. – The New Form of Administration. – Abdication and Retirement of Diocletian and Maximian. p. 358
FOURTEEN: Troubles after the Abdication of Diocletian. – Death of Constantius. – Elevation of Constantine and Maxentius. – Six Emperors at the Same Time. – Death of Maximian and Galerius. – Victories of Constantine over Maxentius and Licinius. – Re-union of the Empire under the Authority of Constantine. p. 400
FIFTEEN: The Progress of the Christian Religion, and the Sentiments, Manners, Numbers, and Condition of the primitive Christians. p. 446
SIXTEEN: The Conduct of the Roman Government towards the Christians, from the Reign of Nero to that of Constantine. p. 514
Appendix I – 1084 - 1105
Edward Gibbon
The History Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume I (other topics)The First World War (other topics)
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume II (other topics)
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume III (other topics)
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume I (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Edward Gibbon (other topics)John Keegan (other topics)
Edward Gibbon (other topics)
Edward Gibbon (other topics)
John Keegan (other topics)
When we complete The First World War by Keegan:
we will be moving on to our next spotlighted book which is The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire - Volume I - Penguin Classics Edition - Unabridged.
However, we are only doing the first volume of the six volume work. We will be doing what Gibbon called Volume the First - 1776. We will be doing the volume that was published first in 1776.
This volume contains sixteen chapters:
The Antonines
1. The Age
2. Prosperity
3. Constitution
4. AD 180-193
5. AD 193-197
6. AD 208-235
7. AD 235-248
8. Persia
9. Germany
10.AD 248-260
11.AD 268-275
12.AD 275-285
13.AD 285-313
14.AD 305-324
Christianity
15. Progress
16. Official Reaction
WHY AM I PUTTING THIS NOTICE UP SO EARLY?