The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. VI

Focusing on the moral and civic decline of Rome, Edward Gibbon's extensive work examines the empire's fall from the end of Marcus Aurelius's reign. He argues that the loss of moral fortitude, military resolve, and civic responsibility among the populace contributed significantly to the collapse. Written over 13 years starting in 1776, this classic is regarded as a cornerstone in historical literature, with Gibbon often recognized as a pioneer of modern historiography for his reliance on primary sources.