BEGINNINGS

Books of Interest
 Website: chetyarbrough.blog

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Volume 1)

Author: Edward Gibbon

Narrated By:  Bernard Mayes

The following story of Rome is largely absent of Julius Caesar which is a surprise to many who are dilatants of history. Caesar’s reign was as a dictator from 49 BCE to 44 BCE. Augustus was Caesar’s great-nephew and was adopted by Caesar as his son and heir.

Mark Antony became the leader of Rome after Caesar’s murder. Anthony ruled until 30 BCE when Augustus dethroned him and became the first emperor of what became known as the Roman Empire in 24 BCE. Though Caesar played a role in ending the Republic, it was Augustus who established the Roman Empire which explains why Gibbon begins his history of Rome with Augustus’s rule. Gibbon notes Augustus was the real architect of imperial Rome. Augustus consolidated the power of disparate interest groups to create the Roman Empire. Augustus reformed the government, secured military loyalty, and restored order after defeating Anthony.

What is unclear is why there was a conflict between Augustus and Anthony when Anthony supported Caesar. A little research suggests Anthony’s relationship with Cleopatra interfered with Augustus’s view of singular Roman leadership of Roman territory, i.e. exclusive of Egypt’s influence or interests. A propaganda war was created by Augustus that gained the Senate and Roman people’s support in what became a war against Anthony’s rule. This led to the Battle of Actium where Anthony and Cleopatra’s forces were defeated by Augustus. Anthony and Cleopatra returned to Egypt and committed suicide, leaving Augustus to rule Rome.

Augustus (27 BCE – 14 CE) – The first emperor, established the principate.

Tiberius (14–37 CE) – A capable but unpopular ruler.

Caligula (37–41 CE) – Infamous for his erratic behavior.

Claudius (41–54 CE) – Expanded the empire, including the conquest of Britain.

Nero (54–68 CE) – Known for his extravagance and persecution of Christians.

Vespasian (69–79 CE) – Stabilized the empire after the chaos of 69 CE.

Domitian (81–96 CE) – A harsh ruler, assassinated by his own court.

Trajan (98–117 CE) – Expanded the empire to its greatest territorial extent.

Hadrian (117–138 CE) – Consolidated the empire, built Hadrian’s Wall.

Marcus Aurelius (161–180 CE) – The philosopher-emperor, faced invasions.

Commodus (177–192 CE) – His misrule led to instability.

Septimius Severus (193–211 CE) – Strengthened the military.

Caracalla (198–217 CE) – Granted Roman citizenship to all free men.

Diocletian (284–305 CE) – Reformed the empire, introduced the tetrarchy.

Constantine the Great (306–337 CE) – Legalized Christianity, founded Constantinople.

Theodosius I (379–395 CE) – Made Christianity the state religion.

Romulus Augustulus (475–476 CE) – The last emperor of the Western Roman Empire.

This introduction to the first volume of Gibbon’s work sets the table for the remarkable growth and longevity of the Roman Empire. Hopefully, the next few reviews of this very long listen will be of interest to those who follow this blog.