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Preface Of The Author。
It is not my intention to detain the reader by expatiating
on the variety or the importance of the subject； which I have
undertaken to treat； since the merit of the choice would serve to
render the weakness of the execution still more apparent； and
still less excusable。 But as I have presumed to lay before the
public a first volume only ^1 of the History of the Decline and
Fall of the Roman Empire； it will； perhaps； be expected that I
should explain； in a few words； the nature and limits of my
general plan。
＇Footnote 1： The first volume of the quarto； which contained the
sixteen first chapters。＇
The memorable series of revolutions； which in the course of
about thirteen centuries gradually undermined； and at length
destroyed； the solid fabric of human greatness； may； with some
propriety； be divided into the three following periods：
I。 The first of these periods may be traced from the age of
Trajan and the Antonines； when the Roman monarchy； having
attained its full strength and maturity； began to verge towards
its decline； and will extend to the subversion of the Western
Empire； by the barbarians of Germany and Scythia； the rude
ancestors of the most polished nations of modern Europe。 This
extraordinary revolution； which subjected Rome to the power of a
Gothic conqueror； was completed about the beginning of the sixth
century。
II。 The second period of the Decline and Fall of Rome may
be supposed to commence with the reign of Justinian； who； by his
laws； as well as by his victories； restored a transient splendor
to the Eastern Empire。 It will comprehend the invasion of Italy
by the Lombards； the conquest of the Asiatic and African
provinces by the Arabs； who embraced the religion of Mahomet； the
revolt of the Roman people against the feeble princes of
Constantinople； and the elevation of Charlemagne； who； in the
year eight hundred； established the second； or German Empire of
the West
III。 The last and longest of these periods includes about
six centuries and a half； from the revival of the Western Empire；
till the taking of Constantinople by the Turks； and the
extinction of a degenerate race of princes； who continued to
assume the titles of Caesar and Augustus； after their dominions
were contracted to the limits of a single city； in which the
language； as well as manners； of the ancient Romans； had been
long since forgotten。 The writer who should undertake to relate
the events of this period； would find himself obliged to enter
into the general history of the Crusades； as far as they
contributed to the ruin of the Greek Empire； and he would
scarcely be able to restrain his curiosity from making some
inquiry into the state of the city of Rome； during the darkness
and confusion of the middle ages。
As I have ventured； perhaps too hastily； to commit to the
press a work which in every sense of the word； deserves the
epithet of imperfect。 I consider myself as contracting an
engagement to finish； most probably in a second volume； ^2 the
first of these memorable periods； and to deliver to the Public
the complete History of the Decline and Fall of Rome； from the
age of the Antonines to the subversion of the Western Empire。
With regard to the subsequent periods； though I may entertain
some hopes； I dare not presume to give any assurances。 The
execution of the extensive plan which I have described； would
connect the ancient and modern history of the world； but it would
require many years of health； of leisure； and of perseverance。
＇Footnote 2： The Author； as it frequently happens； took an
inadequate measure of his growing work。 The remainder of the
first period has filled two volumes in quarto； being the third；
fourth； fifth； and sixth volumes of the octavo edition。＇
Bentinck Street； February 1； 1776。
P。 S。 The entire History； which is now published； of the
Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire in the West； abundantly
discharges my engagements with the Public。 Perhaps their
favorable opinion may encourage me to prosecute a work； which；
however laborious it may seem； is the most agreeable occupation
of my leisure hours。
Bentinck Street； March 1； 1781。
An Author easily persuades himself that the public opinion
is still favorable to his labors； and I have now embraced the
serious resolution of proceeding to the last period of my
original design； and of the Roman Empire； the taking of
Constantinople by the Turks； in the year one thousand four
hundred and fifty…three。 The most patient Reader； who computes
that three ponderous ^3 volumes have been already employed on the
events of four centuries； may； perhaps； be alarmed at the long
prospect of nine hundred years。 But it is not my intention to
expatiate with the same minuteness on the whole series of the
Byzantine history。 At our entrance into this period； the reign
of Justinian； and the conquests of the Mahometans； will deserve
and detain our attention； and the last age of Constantinople （the
Crusades and the Turks） is connected with the revolutions of
Modern Europe。 From the seventh to the eleventh century； the
obscure interval will be supplied by a concise narrative of such
facts as may still appear either interesting or important。
＇Footnote 3： The first six volumes of the octavo edition。＇
Bentinck Street； March 1； 1782。