Storia Della Decadenza E Rovina Dell'impero Romano, Volume 03

A historical account written in the late 18th century. The work examines the decline and eventual fall of the Roman Empire, focusing particularly on the treatment of Christians during this tumultuous period. Gibbon's detailed narrative reveals the complex interaction between emerging Christian beliefs and the established Roman religious and political systems. The opening of this volume delves into the Roman government's conduct towards Christians from the reign of Nero to that of Constantine. Gibbon posits that, despite the moral rectitude and relative innocence of early Christians, they were subject to severe persecution. He explores the motivations behind this intolerance, suggesting that the Christians’ departure from traditional Roman religious practices and their claim to exclusive truth provoked governmental retaliation. The narrative outlines specific persecutions under various emperors, notably the brutal consequences faced by many Christians, who were often scapegoated for societal calamities, revealing the tensions between religious diversity and state control in ancient Rome.