The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (work)

"The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," written by Edward Gibbon between 1776 and 1788, is a comprehensive analysis of how the Roman Empire weakened over centuries. Gibbon details political instability, economic troubles, military defeats, and increasing pressure from barbarian tribes as key factors. He argues that internal corruption and loss of civic virtue also contributed to its downfall. The work is influential for its rigorous historical research and its exploration of how structural decline, combined with external invasions, led to the eventual collapse of one of history’s greatest civilizations.