The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

Discuss the office of emperor as Augustus originally designed it. What do you think the advantages and disadvantages of the system were? Do you think Augustus’s system could have prevented the decline of the Roman Empire indefinitely?

Compare and contrast Gibbon’s views on Rome’s decline with those of some modern historians. In what ways are Gibbon’s views similar to modern ones? In what ways does his assessment differ?

Choose one of Gibbon’s footnotes where he cites a particular source. Why do you think Gibbon chose that particular source? How does his citation support his argument or add to his narrative? What do Gibbon’s citations reveal about his sources and his historical methodology?

The binary between “the East” and “the West” is a major part of Gibbon’s narrative, influencing his arguments about the causes of the decline of the Roman Empire. How does Gibbon define “East” and “West” in terms of their strengths and weaknesses? What does each represent in the broader scope of his political thought?

Out of all the emperors Gibbon discusses, who do you think the best and the worst emperors were? Why? What makes a successful leader, in Gibbon’s view?

What are Gibbon’s views on religion and superstition? Do you believe Gibbon is critical of religion, supportive of it in some form, or something in-between? What role, if any, do you believe religion may have played in the decline of Rome?

Analyze Gibbon’s depiction of female figures in the text. How are women depicted in the narrative? What do their depictions reveal about gender dynamics in ancient Rome, or about assumptions and values concerning gender in Gibbon’s own time?

How does Gibbon present the role of the Senate during these eras? How did the tensions between older republican forms and values and more monarchical ones play out in Rome? Could these competing traditions have been reconciled? Why or why not?