Read Edward Gibbon’s “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”. Learned about it from the description of “Foundation”. Isaac Asimov wrote his novel inspired by this historical book.
Therefore, I decided to first read about the fall of the Roman Empire, and later read the fiction.
Generally, I like history. So I thought I would manage and gain new knowledge.
The book was enjoyable. Rating 8 out of 10. Chapters about the origins of Christianity were difficult to read. But it turns out they strongly shook 18th century society after publication in England. And the author touched on this topic not by chance; in his youth he switched from Protestantism to Catholicism, for which his father sent him to Lausanne for “correction” of his views on faith.
From the main points that expanded my knowledge about the demise of the Roman Empire:
- Division of the empire into 2 parts (Western and Eastern) with 2 Caesars and 2 Augusti in each. Reason - enormous extent of borders and strengthening of external enemies.
- Constantine and the adoption of Christianity by emperors and rulers.
- Loss of “idea and faith” in the Roman Empire (republic) by the population. There was no longer any stimulus and patriotism among citizens and aristocracy.
- Barbarians ceased to be “barbarians” in the Roman sense. They served in the army and adopted Roman customs. Later also the Christian faith.
- Complex administrative apparatus and high taxes.
- Inability to resist new arrivals from the east - the Huns.
Next, I will study the Byzantine era in detail, and combined with Popov’s “Complete History of Islam” read last year, will provide a quite good knowledge base.