As I turned the last page of Volume I, I began to wonder how I would review this work. My reading experience was an undulating one – I enjoyed the work but at times I found it repetitious and a slog to get through. I was conflicted. What did keep me from placing the book into my DNF shelf was Gibbons’ prose. He is a gifted writer, and my vocabulary grew exponentially (such words as ignominious and pusillanimous are some fun ones!)

This was my first leap into the history of the Roman Empire. I have little knowledge of the foundational history other than what I’ve read in other books, although I am working on that! Gibbon begins with the rule of the Antonines, the time period that began around 98 CE with the rule of Antoninus Pius and his succeeding heir Marcus Aurelius. After the death of Marcus, his son Commodus took the throne, and this is regarded by Gibbon as the beginning of the end of the Empire.

Thereafter, the reader is introduced to a multitude of emperors, many being introduced to the sword shortly after having the diadem placed on their heads, their ephemeral reign being cut short by treachery or by the anger of the populace. This I found very interesting in the beginning but after about 300 pages I began to grow weary. As historian Arnold Toynbee (supposedly) once said, “History is one damn thing after another.” His witticisms breathed life into the history, and that’s what kept me on life support.

I find the Roman Empire fascinating so I will continue to look for other books on the subject. What will work best for me might be learning about it in chunks rather than in sweeping works such as Gibbon’s voluminous oeuvre. I haven't given up on him yet; I plan on starting Volume II at some point. If you enjoy great writing, then you will appreciate Gibbon.

3 stars for the content and 4 stars for the prose.