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bours; 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 * volumes have been already employed on the events of four centuries, may, perhips, 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 ob scure interval will be supplied by a concise narrative of such facts, as may still appear either interesting or important,

BENTINCK-STREET,
March 1st, 1782.

The first six volumes of the octavo edition.

ADVERTISEMENT

TO. THE

FIRST OCTAVO EDITION.

THE

History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is now delivered to the Public in a more convenient form. Some alterations and improvements had presented themselves to my mind, but I was unwilling to injure or offend the purchasers of the preceding editions. The accuracy of the Corrector of the Press has been already tried and approved; and, perhaps, I may stand excused, if, amidst the avocations of a busy winter, I have preferred the pleasures of composition and study, to the minute diligence of revising a former publication.

BENTINCK-STREBT,
April 20th, 1783.

[ix]

D

ILIGENCE and accuracy are the only merit which an historical writer may asscribe to himself; if any merit, indeed, can be assumed from the performance of an indispensable duty. I may therefore be allowed to say, that I have carefully examined all the original materials that could illustrate the subject which I had undertaken to treat. Should I ever complete the extensive design which has been sketched out in the Preface, I might perhaps conclude it with a critical account of the authors consulted during the progress of the whole work; and however such an attempt might incur the censure of ostentation, I am persuaded, that it would be susceptible of entertainment, as well as information.

At present I shall content myself with a single observation. The Biographers, who, under the reigns of Diocletian and Constantine, composed, or rather compiled, the lives of the Emperors, from Hadrian to the sons of Carus, are usually mentioned under the names of Ælius Spartianus, Julius Capitolinus, Ælius Lampridius, Vulcatius Gallicanus, Trebellius Pollio, and Flavius Vopiscus. But there is so much perplexity in the titles of the MSS.; and so many disputes have arisen among the critics (see Fabricius, Biblioth. La

VOL. I.

a

tin.

tin. 1. iii. c. 6.) concerning their number, their names, and their respective property; that, for the most part, I have quoted them without distinction, under the general and well-known title of the Augustan History.

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TABLE OF CONTENTST

! OF THE

FIRST. VOLUME.

CHAP. I.

The Extent and military Force of the Empire, in the Age of

A. D.

INTRODUCTION

the Antonines.

Moderation of Augustus

Imitated by his Successors

Conquest of Britain was the first Exception to it
Conquest of Dacia, the second Exception to it
Conquests of Trajan in the East

Resigned by his Successor Hadrian

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Contrast of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius

Pacific System of Hadrian and the two Antonines
Defensive Wars of Marcus Antoninus

Military Establishment of the Roman Emperors
Discipline

Exercises

The Legions under the Emperors

Arms

ib.

13

14

15

17

19

20

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