It’s been more than a decade since I first read Edward Gibbon’s “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”. Back then; I was just a high school history enthusiast with little knowledge of “serious” history. Although the book was an eye opener to me in terms of studying “serious” history but I remember getting “bored” at times while reading the book of which I had little understanding. However, reading the masterpiece in the past few nights was a totally different experience to me. Somehow, I genuinely felt that I was reading a book that I haven’t read before. It happened a few days ago in my leisurely research of Roman history that I came across the “full” version of Gibbon’s masterpiece over the net (www.ccel.org/g/gibbon/decline/home.html) (my old book edited by Moses Hadas was an abbrebriated version). Armed with a mature understanding and a better grasp of the subject matter, I find the book a delightful read. Edward Gibbon’s masterpiece is considered by many as the greatest historical work written in English and indeed, it’s reputation is well founded. To me, Gibbon writes less about analysis and emphasizes more on narration or story telling (J.B. Bury’s monumental work, “A History of the Later Roman Empire”, which cover similar topics is more analytical in nature) making reading his work less of an intellectual pursuit and more of a pastime. His writing style is “flowery” (and hence less analytical) yet concise and dignified and not overtly flattering. It is also vivid especially in his depiction of tyrants and virtues of worthy Roman emperors. Best of all, it is so fluid that one would be surprise to know that after reading several chapters in one sitting, he has already read through centuries of Roman history and several generations of Roman emperors. To understand the importance of his master’s work, Gibbon’s book covers 13 centuries of Roman history and everything we learned from our history classes about the Roman Empire came from his writing. His book is the foremost authority on the subject matter and is considered as the “traditional” source of Roman history teaching worldwide. And what makes it even more fascinating is that, it was written in the late 18th century (1776). One of his most celebrated and often quoted paragraph by historians is as follows:
"In the second century of the Christian era, the Empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilized portion of mankind. The frontiers of that extensive monarchy were guarded by ancient renown and disciplined valour. The gentle but powerful influence of laws and manners had gradually cemented the union of the provinces. Their peaceful inhabitants enjoyed and abused the advantages of wealth and luxury. The image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence: the Roman senate appeared to possess the sovereign authority, and devolved on the emperors all the executive powers of government. During a happy period (A.D. 98-180) of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines. It is the design of this, and of the two succeeding chapters, to describe the prosperous condition of their empire; and afterwards, from the death of Marcus Antoninus, to deduce the most important circumstances of its decline and fall; a revolution which will ever be remembered, and is still felt by the nations of the earth."
This is why Gibbon wrote his book, to deduce the circumstances that led to the destruction of a mighty empire, the chastisement of a proud race, and the ruin of a once invincible city. The Roman Empire at its height comprises most of Europe, Middle East, and North Africa, including the territories of modern nations of Britain, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, part of Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Israel, part of Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and of course, Italy. In fact, one could say that these nations especially Europe wouldn’t be here hadn’t been for Rome. To name a few, modern institutions were ultimately derived from Roman institutions. As an example, the title Chancellor was a minor Roman notary called cancellari. The modern day title of Count was derived from the Roman “Comes” meaning companion or to be more specific, the companion of the Emperor. The Latin language was also the mother tongue of the European language. I could guarantee that one could “fairly decipher” Latin. Best of all, Rome bequeathed to us it’s famous Roman Law. In fact, Gibbon devoted a chapter to Roman Law and there, one could find the genesis of our present “Western” legal practices and traditions in marriage laws, criminal laws, etc. The Roman Law was adopted by the barbarian kingdoms who succeeded the Empire alongside their own Germanic law. Eventually, the Roman law was amalgamated with the German Law to produce two modern legal traditions, the British Common Law, which ultimately produced the American Law, and the French Law as represented by the Code Napoleon. With this in mind, the foremost question that begs for an answer is “What happened?”. The Roman Empire was forge with fire and sword and in the end, it was destroyed by fire and sword. But what forces “weakened” the Empire that it was eventually swallowed up by flames? How could a happy period of four score years of five good Emperors end up like this? According to Gibbon’s thesis, the decline and fall of Rome was due to:
1. The inherent defect and weakness of a one – man rule wherein a system of government relies on the quality of a man, the Roman Emperor and his understanding of the situation which is in turn clouded by the lies and intrigues of his courtiers;
2. The danger of military dictatorship wherein a restive army jealous of its rights and keenly aware of its power wouldn’t hesitate to revolt and place an Emperor on its throne only to depose him later when another gave them a “better” offer;
3. The luxury and vices that pampered the Romans leading them to moral decadence which in turn softened their will and diminished their martial spirits. It was not long ago when Romans were the terror of the ancient world but in their decline, they tremble at everyone that knocks at it's gate;
There is also a fourth reason according to Gibbon, the rise and predominance of Christianity, and it’s effects on the Empire. (Of course, these are Gibbon’s thesis. Modern day historian has a plethora of theories on the decline ranging from economic to military to social theories). Interestingly, Gibbon is an Anglican Christian. On a side note, reading the book on the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, I cannot help but drew parallels with the state of politics in this country of mine. The exactions of a bankrupt government, the corruptions of the elite, the tumultuous and divisive politics, and the restive military are all too familiar to me. I cannot help but lament at our situation while reading the book and express alarm at the state of our affairs and where we are heading if Rome is our guide. Somehow, the phrase “history repeats itself” is actually happening to us except that Manila is not Rome, the President is not a "worthy" Emperor, we are not Romans, and definitely, our country is no Empire. What would have become of us? Perhaps in a hundred years, somebody would write “The Decline and Fall of The Philippine Republic”. Too bad, I wouldn’t live to read it, .........................I hope.
"In the second century of the Christian era, the Empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilized portion of mankind. The frontiers of that extensive monarchy were guarded by ancient renown and disciplined valour. The gentle but powerful influence of laws and manners had gradually cemented the union of the provinces. Their peaceful inhabitants enjoyed and abused the advantages of wealth and luxury. The image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence: the Roman senate appeared to possess the sovereign authority, and devolved on the emperors all the executive powers of government. During a happy period (A.D. 98-180) of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines. It is the design of this, and of the two succeeding chapters, to describe the prosperous condition of their empire; and afterwards, from the death of Marcus Antoninus, to deduce the most important circumstances of its decline and fall; a revolution which will ever be remembered, and is still felt by the nations of the earth."
This is why Gibbon wrote his book, to deduce the circumstances that led to the destruction of a mighty empire, the chastisement of a proud race, and the ruin of a once invincible city. The Roman Empire at its height comprises most of Europe, Middle East, and North Africa, including the territories of modern nations of Britain, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, part of Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Israel, part of Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and of course, Italy. In fact, one could say that these nations especially Europe wouldn’t be here hadn’t been for Rome. To name a few, modern institutions were ultimately derived from Roman institutions. As an example, the title Chancellor was a minor Roman notary called cancellari. The modern day title of Count was derived from the Roman “Comes” meaning companion or to be more specific, the companion of the Emperor. The Latin language was also the mother tongue of the European language. I could guarantee that one could “fairly decipher” Latin. Best of all, Rome bequeathed to us it’s famous Roman Law. In fact, Gibbon devoted a chapter to Roman Law and there, one could find the genesis of our present “Western” legal practices and traditions in marriage laws, criminal laws, etc. The Roman Law was adopted by the barbarian kingdoms who succeeded the Empire alongside their own Germanic law. Eventually, the Roman law was amalgamated with the German Law to produce two modern legal traditions, the British Common Law, which ultimately produced the American Law, and the French Law as represented by the Code Napoleon. With this in mind, the foremost question that begs for an answer is “What happened?”. The Roman Empire was forge with fire and sword and in the end, it was destroyed by fire and sword. But what forces “weakened” the Empire that it was eventually swallowed up by flames? How could a happy period of four score years of five good Emperors end up like this? According to Gibbon’s thesis, the decline and fall of Rome was due to:
1. The inherent defect and weakness of a one – man rule wherein a system of government relies on the quality of a man, the Roman Emperor and his understanding of the situation which is in turn clouded by the lies and intrigues of his courtiers;
2. The danger of military dictatorship wherein a restive army jealous of its rights and keenly aware of its power wouldn’t hesitate to revolt and place an Emperor on its throne only to depose him later when another gave them a “better” offer;
3. The luxury and vices that pampered the Romans leading them to moral decadence which in turn softened their will and diminished their martial spirits. It was not long ago when Romans were the terror of the ancient world but in their decline, they tremble at everyone that knocks at it's gate;
There is also a fourth reason according to Gibbon, the rise and predominance of Christianity, and it’s effects on the Empire. (Of course, these are Gibbon’s thesis. Modern day historian has a plethora of theories on the decline ranging from economic to military to social theories). Interestingly, Gibbon is an Anglican Christian. On a side note, reading the book on the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, I cannot help but drew parallels with the state of politics in this country of mine. The exactions of a bankrupt government, the corruptions of the elite, the tumultuous and divisive politics, and the restive military are all too familiar to me. I cannot help but lament at our situation while reading the book and express alarm at the state of our affairs and where we are heading if Rome is our guide. Somehow, the phrase “history repeats itself” is actually happening to us except that Manila is not Rome, the President is not a "worthy" Emperor, we are not Romans, and definitely, our country is no Empire. What would have become of us? Perhaps in a hundred years, somebody would write “The Decline and Fall of The Philippine Republic”. Too bad, I wouldn’t live to read it, .........................I hope.
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