The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume I

By: Edward Gibbon

Narrated by: David Timson

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire has always maintained its initial appeal to both the general public and scholars alike. Its sheer scale is daunting, encompassing over a millennium of history, covering not merely the Western Empire from the days of the early emperors to its extinction in AD 476, but also the Eastern Empire, which lasted for another thousand years until the Turks vanquished it in 1453. But Gibbon’s style, part historical fact and part literature, is enticing, and the sheer honesty of the man, who endeavours to be scrupulously impartial in his presentation, endears him to the reader. In this recording, David Timson incorporates the most salient of Gibbon’s footnotes.

In Volume I (chapters I-XV), Gibbon opens by setting the scene with the Empire as it stood in the time of Augustus (d. AD 14) before praising the time of the Antonines (AD 98-180). The death of Marcus Aurelius and the accession of Commodus and his successors ushers in turbulent and dangerous times which were only occasionally marked by a wise and temperate ruler. The volume ends in AD 324, with Constantine the Great becoming undisputed Roman emperor, uniting both the East and Western Empires.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2014 Naxos AudioBooks

Density

This was a struggle for me, not for the narration or writing style (which are both excellent), but due to density and breadth of the information presented. This must be one of the most thoroughly researched and executed historical works of all time. Truly epic.

Map

I will get a map or maps for the remaining volumes so I can see where Gibbons has jumped to.

If you want detailed and meticulously researched history, you hit the jackpot with this. Otherwise, I do not recommend it.

one of the best

Timson's dlivery of Gibbons'
magnificent work captures its true escense . I think Gibbons would approve.

good

epic and interesting, except for the chapters on early christians. those I could do without

A Classic Book that worths to be listen

Edward Gibbon is a classic writer and an Historian classic. He has the ability to build historical texts using beautiful images and should be a poet. Audible Amazon Co. certainly hits a point of excellence offering us this masterpiece of History read by David Timson, who is a fantastic reader. His accent, his voice, his own interpretation of the text take us to the Ancient Rome, following the armies, watching the battles, listening the great roman orators, admring the archicteture of the big cities. The listening of these volumes let us learn the History of Rome through his decline and, finally, the fall of Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. The ascension of the Germanic Kingdoms is explained also in an historic romantic way, showing the palacian coups and intrigues. You probably will stop only when David annouces: the end.