For decades, perhaps centuries, the standard work of reference on Roman History has been courtesy of Edward Gibbon. In its original printing it was a best-seller and a publishing sensation. History was brought to the masses in vivid detail. Within its massive six volumes Gibbon put into context the entire sweep of this huge and complex Empire. We visit its far-flung regions, its most charismatic characters as we travel through centuries of its existence and its eternal influence on Western and, most probably, World culture. Considering the times and the resources at his disposal it quite incredible what Gibbon has been able to put together, to distil, to formulate and precisely plot in this most seducing of histories. Index of Contents CHAPTER LIX - The Crusades CHAPTER LX - The Fourth Crusade CHAPTER LXI - Partition of The Empire by The French and Venetians CHAPTER LXII - Greek Emperors of Nice and Constantinople CHAPTER LXIII - Civil Wars and The Ruin of the Greek Empire CHAPTER LXIV - Moguls, Ottoman Turks CHAPTER LXV - Elevation of Timour or Tamerlane, And His Death CHAPTER LXVI - Union of The Greek And Latin Churches CHAPTER LXVII - Schism of The Greeks And Latins CHAPTER LXVIII - Reign of Mahomet The Second, Extinction of Eastern Empire CHAPTER LXIX - State of Rome From the Twelfth Century CHAPTER LXX - Final Settlement of The Ecclesiastical State CHAPTER LXXI - Prospect of the Ruins of Rome in the Fifteenth Century Edward Gibbon - A Short Biography Edward Gibbon - A Concise Bibliography… (more)