The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is a six-volume work by the English historian Edward Gibbon. In the first two volumes Gibbon offers a detailed account of Rome from its zenith under Augustus to its division in 395 AD. He delves into the political and military strategies of the Pax Romana and presents a critical analysis of the early Christian Church, highlighting the reigns of pivotal figures like Constantine and Julian. Gibbon discusses the strategic foundation of Constantinople by Constantine and his pivotal conversion to Christianity, reshaping the Roman Empire's religious landscape. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire spans Western civilization, Islamic, and Mongolian conquests from the Roman Empire's zenith to Byzantium's downfall. Across six volumes, it details the Roman Empire from 98 to 1590, early Christianity, the Roman State Church, and European history, focusing on the factors that contributed to the collapse of one of history's greatest civilizations over thirteen centuries, including its leaders, wars, and societal dynamics. This case laminate collector's edition includes a Victorian-inspired dust jacket. Edward Gibbon, born on May 8, 1737. He was an English essayist, historian, and politician, is celebrated for his work The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, which critiques organized religion with irony and detailed use of sources. Born into a wealthy family affected by the South Sea bubble's collapse, Gibbon's early education was marked by a brief and controversial conversion to Roman Catholicism at Oxford, leading to his re-education in Lausanne, Switzerland. His career was distinguished by a pivotal journey to Rome, inspiring his magnum opus, and his significant contributions to literature and historiography earned him widespread acclaim and a place in the Royal Society.Gibbon's Decline and Fall was revolutionary, combining thorough scholarship with a narrative style that brought history to a wider audience. His meticulous research and engaging prose set a new standard in historical writing, influencing generations of historians and writers.