Gibbon

Title page of Vol. 3 of the 1781 edition, containing the General Observations.

General Observations on the Fall of the Roman Empire in the West

Edward Gibbon’s celebrated postscript to Chapter XXXVIII where he synthesizes the primary causes of Rome’s decay and reflects on the future of European civilization.

A Byzantine illuminated manuscript page depicting Christ before Pilate, from the Rossano Gospels, 6th century.

The Conduct of the Roman Government towards the Christians from the reign of Nero to that of Constantine

Chapter XVI of Edward Gibbon’s The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire examines the conduct of the Roman government toward the Christians from the reign of Nero to that of Constantine.

A fresco of the Good Shepherd from the Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, 3rd century CE.

The Progress of the Christian Religion, and the Sentiments, Manners, Numbers, and Condition of the Primitive Christians

Chapter XV of Edward Gibbon's The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire examines the progress of the Christian religion and the sentiments, manners, numbers, and condition of the primitive Christians.