The six-volume work The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by the English historian Edward Gibbon (1737–1794) has been reprinted many times over the years in various editions.

Editions

The original edition was published between 1776 and 1789 in six volumes by the firm of [William] Strahan & [Thomas] Cadell, in the Strand, London.Data assembled from David Womersley, ed., Edward Gibbon – The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol. 1 (London: Allen Lane, 1994), pp. cvii, 1084, 1106; and Norton, Biblio, 36–63. Norton reported that reliable figures on printed copies of all editions and volumes "cannot, unfortunately, be stated." p. 52. Precise days of publication from Norton, Biblio, except where otherwise noted. Volume I has a complex history of its own. It was published in six editions between 1776 and 1789. Three of the six contain authorial revisions, marked AR: First editions, 1776 Feb 17 (a and b-AR), 1000 copies; Second edition, 1776 June 3; 1500 copies; Third edition, 1777 May (AR); 1000 copies; Fourth edition, 1781 Apr 4 (AR); Fifth editions, 1782 Apr 11 (a and b); Sixth edition, 1789 Dec 1. Volumes II, III were published together in three editions between 1781 and 1789: First editions, 1781 Mar 1 (a and b; b sometimes called the second edition); Second edition, 1787 (n/a); Third edition, 1789 Dec 1. published with the sixth edition of volume one as a new set. Volumes IV, V, VI were published together in one edition only: 1788 May 8; 3000 copies each.

A one-volume edition with an "introductory memoir of the author" by William Youngman was published by J.O. Robinson (London, 1830). The 1838–1839 Rev. H.H. (Dean) Milman edition, the first English critical edition, was published in 12 volumes. A second Milman edition, which serves as the basis for most electronic and public domain versions such as the Gutenberg one, was published in 1846 in 6 volumes.Norton, Biblio, p. 100. The original J.B. Bury edition (1896–1900) was 7 volumes.Norton, Biblio, p. 101. The revised J.B. Bury edition was published in 1909–14 and it was later reprinted by the AMS Press in 1974–8.

The 1910 Everyman's Library edition in 6 volumes was prepared by Oliphant Smeaton. This was reprinted in the US with Smeaton's notes in two volumes by Modern Library in 1932, later divided into three volumes,Notes on Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Modern Library Collecting website (Last accessed 12 August 2016) and the text without his notes was reprinted as volumes 40 and 41 of the Great Books of the Western World series in 1952. The 1946 Heritage Press edition of Bury's is three volumes. It divides the chapters into Volume 1: 1–26, Volume 2: 27–48, Volume 3: 49–71.

The latest complete edition in 3 volumes was edited by David Womersley, and published by Allen Lane (London) and Penguin Press (New York) in 1994.

Contents The Extent and Military Force of the Empire in the Age of the Antonines which was in the Years 98–180 Of the Union and Internal Prosperity of the Roman Empire, in the Age of the Antonines – Art – Character Of the Constitution of the Roman Empire, in the Age of the Antonines – Rulers from Augustus to Domitian The Cruelty, Follies, and Murder of Commodus – Election of Pertinax – His Attempts to Reform the State – His Assassination by the Praetorian Guards – Indignation Public Sale of the Empire to Didius Julianus by the Praetorian Guards – Clodius Albinus in Britain, Pescennius Niger in Syria, and Septimius Severus in Pannonia, declare against the Murderers of Pertinax – Civil Wars and Victory of Severus Over his Three Rivals – Relaxation of Discipline – New Maxims of Government The Death of Severus – Tyranny of Caracalla – Usurpation of Macrinus – Follies of Elagabalus – Virtues of Alexander Severus – Licentiousness of the Army – General State of the Roman Finances – Tax & Tribute The Elevation, and Tyranny, of Maximinus – Rebellion in Africa and Italy, under the Authority of the Senate – Civil Wars and Seditions – Violent Deaths of Maximin and his Son, of Maximus and Balbinus, and of the three Gordians – Usurpation and secular Games of Philip Of the State of Persia after the Restoration of the Monarchy by Artaxerxes – His Character and Maxims The State of Germany till the Invasion of the Barbarians, in the time of the Emperor Decius – 248 AD. The Emperors Decius, Gallus, Aemilianus, Valerian, and Gallienus – The general Irruption of the Barbarians – The Thirty Tyrants – Their Real Number Nineteen Reign of Claudius – Defeat of the Goths – Victories, Triumph, and Death, of Aurelian – Zenobia's Character Conduct of the Army and Senate after the Death of Aurelian – Reigns of Tacitus, Probus, Carus and his Sons The Reign of Diocletian and his Three Associates, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius – General Re-establishment of Order and Tranquility – The Persian War, Victory, and Triumph – The new Form of Administration – The Abdication and Retirement of Diocletian and Maximian Troubles after the Abdication of Diocletian – Death of Constantius – Elevation of Constantine and Maxentius – Six Emperors at the same Time – Death of Maximian and Galerius – Victories of Constantine over Maxentius and Licinius – Reunion of the Empire under the Authority of Constantine – His Laws – General Peace The Progress of the Christian Religion, and the Sentiments, Manners, Numbers, and Condition of the Primitive Christians – Ceremonies, Arts, and Festivals The Conduct of the Roman Government towards the Christians, from Reign of Nero to that of Constantine – Persecution of Jews & Christians by Domitian Foundation of Constantinople – Political System of Constantine, and his Successors – Military Discipline – The Palace – Finances – General Tribute – Free Gifts Character of Constantine – Gothic War – Death of Constantine – Division of the Empire among his three sons – Persian War – Tragic Deaths of Constantine the Younger and Constans – Usurpation of Magnentius – Civil War – Victory of Constantius II Constantius sole Emperor – Elevation and Death of Gallus – Danger and Elevation of Julian – Sarmatian and Persian Wars – Victories of Julian in Gaul – Paris The Motives, Progress, and Effects of the Conversion of Constantine – Legal Establishment and Constitution of the Christian or Catholic Church – The Clergy Persecution of Heresy – The Schism of the Donatists – The Arian Controversy – Athanasius – Distracted State of the Church and Empire under Constantine and his Sons Julian is declared Emperor by the Legions of Gaul – His March and Success – The Death of Constantius – Civil Administration of Julian – His Fine Character The Religion of Julian – Universal Toleration – He Attempts to Restore and Reform the Pagan Worship; To Rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem – His Artful Persecution of the Christians – Mutual Zeal and Injustice Residence of Julian at Antioch – His Successful Expedition Against the Persians – Passage of the Tigris – The Retreat and Death of Julian – Election of Jovian – He Saves the Roman army by a Disgraceful Peace Treaty The Government and Death of Jovian – Election of Valentinian I, who Associates his Brother Valens, and Makes the Final Division of the Eastern and Western Empires – Revolt of Procopius – Civil and Ecclesiastical Administration – Germany – Britain – Africa – the East – the Danube – Death of Valentinian – His Two Sons, Gratian and Valentinian II, Succeeded to the Western Empire – The Eastern Emperor is Without Influence Manners of the Pastoral Nations – Progress of the Huns – Flight of the Goths – They Pass the Danube – Gothic War – Defeat and Death of Valens – Gratian Invests Theodosius I with the Eastern Empire – His Character and Success – Peace and Settlement of the Goths Death of Gratian – Ruin of Arianism – St. Ambrose – First Civil War, against Maximus – Character, Administration, and Penance of Theodosius – Death of Valentinian II. – Second Civil War, against Eugenius – Death of Theodosius – Corruption of Times – Infantry Disarm Final Destruction of Paganism – Introduction of the Worship of Saints and Relics among the Christians Final Division of the Roman Empire between the Sons of Theodosius – Reign of Arcadius and Honorius – Administration of Rufinus and Stilicho – Revolt and Defeat of Gildo in Africa – Condemnation by the Senate Revolt of the Goths – They Plunder Greece – Two Great Invasions of Italy by Alaric and Radagaisus – They are Repulsed by Stilicho – The Germans Overrun Gaul – Usurpation of Constantine in the West – Disgrace and Death of Stilicho – His Memory Persecuted – Claudian Invasion of Italy by Alaric – Manners of the Roman Senate and People – Rome is Thrice Besieged and at Length Pillaged by the Goths – Death of Alaric – The Goths Evacuate Italy – Fall of Constantine – Gaul and Spain Occupied by the Barbarians – Freedom of Britain Arcadius Emperor of the East – Administration and Disgrace of Eutropius – Revolt of Gainas – persecution of St. John Chrysostom – Theodosius II Emperor of the East – His Sister Pulcheria – His Wife Eudocia – The Persian War, and Division of Armenia – Lustre on Decline Death of Honorius – Valentinian III. Emperor of the West – Administration of his Mother Placidia – Aëtius and Boniface – Conquest of Africa by the Vandals The Character, Conquests, and Court of Attila, King of the Huns – Death of Theodosius the Younger – Elevation of Marcian by Pulcheria to the Empire of the East Invasion of Gaul by Attila – He is repulsed by Aetius and the Visigoths – Attila Invades and Evacuates Italy – The Deaths of Attila, Aetius, and Valentinian III – Symptoms of the Ruin of the Roman Government Sack of Rome by Genseric, King of the Vandals – His Naval Depredations – Succession of the Last Emperors of the West, Maximus, Avitus, Majorian, Severus, Anthemius, Olybrius, Glycerius, Nepos, Augustulus – Total Extinction of the Western Empire – Reign and Character of Odoacer, the first Barbarian King of Italy Origin, Progress, and Effects of the Monastic Life – Conversion of the Barbarians to Christianity and Arianism – Persecution of the Vandals in Africa – Extinction of Arianism among Barbarians – Jews in Spain Reign and Conversion of Clovis – His Victories over the Alemanni, Burgundians, and Visigoths – Establishment of the French Monarchy in Gaul – Laws of the Barbarians – State of the Romans – The Visigoths of Spain – Conquest of Britain by the Saxons – King Arthur Zeno and Anastasius, Emperors of the East – Birth, Education, and First Exploits of Theodoric the Ostrogoth – His Invasion and Conquest of Italy – The Gothic Kingdom of Italy – State of the West – Military and Civil Government – The Senator Boethius – Death of Symmachus – The Last Acts and Death of Theodoric Elevation of Justin the Elder – Reign of Justinian: I. The Empress Theodora – II. Factions of the Circus, and Sedition of Constantinople – III. Trade and Manufacture of Silk – IV. Finances and Taxes – V. Edifices of Justinian – Church of St. Sophia – Fortification and Frontiers of Eastern Empire – Abolition of Schools of Athens and the Roman Consulship by Justinian Conquests of Justinian in the West – Character and First Campaigns of Belisarius – He Invades and Subdues the Vandal Kingdom of Africa – His Triumph – The Gothic War – He Recovers Sicily, Naples, and Rome – Siege of Rome by the Goths – Their Retreat and Losses – Surrender of Ravenna – Glory of Belisarius – His Domestic Shame and Misfortunes – His Wife Antonina State of the Barbaric World – Establishment of the Lombards on the Danube – Tribes and Inroads of the Sclavonians – Origin, Empire, and Embassies of the Turks – The Flight of the Avars – Chosroes I. or Nushirvan King of Persia – His Reign and Wars with the Romans – The Colchian or Lazic War – The Aethiopians