How Rome Fell : Death of a Superpower

by Adrian Goldsworthy

• ISBN13: 9780300164268
• ISBN10: 0300164262
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2010-09-28
• Publisher: Yale University Press

Summary

In AD 200, the Roman Empire seemed unassailable. Its vast territory accounted for most of the known world. By the end of the fifth century, Roman rule had vanished in western Europe and much of northern Africa, and only a shrunken Eastern Empire remained. What accounts for this improbable decline? Here, Adrian Goldsworthy applies the scholarship, perspective, and narrative skill that defined his monumental Caesarto address perhaps the greatest of all historical questions---how Rome fell. It was a period of remarkable personalities, from the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius to emperors like Diocletian, who portrayed themselves as tough, even brutal, soldiers. It was a time of revolutionary ideas, especially in religion, as Christianity went from persecuted sect to the religion of state and emperors. Goldsworthy pays particular attention to the willingness of Roman soldiers to fight and kill each other. Ultimately, this is the story of how an empire without a serious rival rotted from within, its rulers and institutions putting short-term ambition and personal survival over the wider good of the state. Adrian Goldsworthy is the author of many books about the ancient world, including Caesar, The Roman Army at War, and In the Name of Rome. He lectures widely and consults on historical documentaries produced by the History Channel, National Geographic, and the BBC. He lives in Wales.

Author Biography

Adrian Goldsworthy is a preeminent historian of the ancient world. His many acclaimed works include Caesar, a New York Times Notable Book and winner of the Society of Military History’s Distinguished Book Award for Biography. Goldsworthy, who received his doctorate at Oxford, lectures widely and consults on historical documentaries produced by the History Channel, National Geographic, and the BBC.

Table of Contents

List of Maps	p. vii
List of Illustrations	p. ix
Preface	p. 1
Introduction - The Big Question	p. 11
Crisis? The Third Century	p. 27
The Kingdom of Gold	p. 29
The Secret of Empire	p. 53
Imperial Women	p. 70
King of Kings	p. 86
Barbarians	p. 103
The Queen and the 'Necessary' Emperor	p. 123
Crisis	p. 138
Recovery? The Fourth Century	p. 155
The Four - Diocletian and the Tetrarchy	p. 157
The Christian	p. 174
Rivals	p. 194
Enemies	p. 205
The Pagan	p. 223
Goths	p. 245
East and West	p. 264
Fall? The Fifth and Sixth Centuries	p. 283
Barbarians and Romans: Generals and Rebels	p. 285
The Sister and the Eternal City	p. 299
The Hun	p. 314
Sunset on an Outpost of Empire	p. 335
Emperors, Kings and Warlords	p. 353
West and East	p. 370
Rise and Fall	p. 388
Conclusion - A Simple Answer	p. 405
Epilogue - An Even Simpler Moral	p. 416
Chronology	p. 425
Glossary	p. 441
Bibliography	p. 449
Notes	p. 467
Index	p. 511
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