The Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire III

This volume treats the mid and later fourth century, when pagan worship made a last public stand and then receded. Gibbon follows Julian's attempt to restore the old cults, the reigns of Valentinian, Valens, and Theodosius, the Gothic crossing of the Danube, and the legal suppression of sacrifice and temples. Churchmen, remaining senators, and soldiers share the stage with emperors. The narrative links military disaster on the frontiers to a change in the state's religion. It is a history of pagan revival and Christian establishment, not a study of late antique philosophy for its own sake.

Bound in dark red-brown buckram decorated in gold. Map endleaves. Pale yellow-brown slipcase.