fall of the Roman Empire

[The Wandering Scholar]

Does anyone know where I can find a detailed account of the Fall of the Roman Empire? Online?

[Spartan198]

Wikipedia,probably. That's where I go when I need to find anything like that.

[The Wandering Scholar]

At least they will have reliable sources :cheers:

[Rick]

I think it's in public domain now. Check out

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/gibbon/decline/

or a recorded version:

http://librivox.org/the-decline-and-...edward-gibbon/


This has vols 1 - III only

http://www.cca.org/cm/rome/index.html

I got these sites from simply Google'ing "public domain - fall of the roman empire.

Rick

[The Wandering Scholar]

Thanks, yes it is in the public domain. Thanks

[puklo]

I've read somewhere that one of the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire (a process that took centuries) was this: Roman nobilities, during their parties (orgies or otherwise) would have their wine boiled in lead vessels. Lead contaminates the wine, thus making the drinkers grow more and more stupid (aside from the other physical effects of lead poisoning). And they also used lead plumbing. That, plus their dearth of moral values, was what catalyzed the Fall. Of course, plus other factors like Rome's over-dependence on grain imports, over-dependence on slaves, arena events, and so forth. The Empire rotted from the top going down. And don't forget the barbarian hordes who had the opinion that Rome was a nice prize--financially and egoistically. Bye-bye dears. See you again. Soon.

[wumpus]

I think it's in public domain now. Check out

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/gibbon/decline/

Rick

Ah, yes, Rick--Gibbon's voluminous account of the Fall. This should be the first destination for people who want to delve into the Fall. However, just one word of caution: there are some authorities who say that Gibbon's account should not be taken as THE total source--it should be compared with the accounts of other sources. Just like Herodotus--his Greek History should not be taken totally as we moderns recognize history, as he includes some hearsays, myths, and legends (I think, Thucydides the Father of Modern History should be taken more seriously, as he bases his writings on first-hand accounts. Or Xenophon too.) Likewise with the tales of Josephus regarding the Jewish Wars--some of his accounts are hearsays. But, at any rate, I still consider Gibbon's work as monumental, despite everything.

Yo, Upxl: great stuff you have given us here, man. I take my hat off to you.

Hawooh.