Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and Their Decline [Paperback]

Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (Author), David Lowenthal (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is wonderful to have David Lowenthal's splendid translation of Montesquieu's Considerations on the Causes of The Greatness of the Romans and Their Decline back in print. This neglected masterpiece deserves attention from all who are concerned with self-government -- whether their focus is on its history or on its prospects in our own time." -- Paul A Rahe, Jay P Walker Professor of History, University of Tulsa.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Hackett Pub Co Inc (1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0872204960
• ISBN-13: 978-0872204966
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #731,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Succinct and Readable analysis of Roman History, May 6, 2000

By 

nels frye (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and Their Decline (Paperback)

A book far too often ignored by modern readers. Montesquieu presents a succinct and readable analysis of the history of the Roman Republic and Empire. For both the layperson and the scholar interested in Roman History this is an essential read. He presents the reasons for the the spread of Rome's empire, the fall of the Republic, and the long duration and eventual collapse of the empire in a clear fashion. He goes through Roman history chronologically and shows how these causes relate to specific events. Edward Gibbon praises Montesquieu in his memoirs, and after reading his Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, it is easy to see how the theses presented here on religion and the military may have influenced Gibbon's own conclusions.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Concise but thorough, a worthwhile read., May 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and Their Decline (Paperback)

Montesquieu's "Considerations..." is a refreshing change of pace from the usual, long winded, dry books on Roman history. It is a concise, clear, chronologically presented work, but still manages to be quite thorough in examining a variety of the causes behind the rise and fall of the Romans. The author touches on the social, military, economic and moral factors that made the Romans great, and in the end led to collapse of their empire. I can recommend it as a worthwhile read to those of you interested in the history of the Romans.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best short history of Rome!, November 21, 2010

By 

Michael E. Newton - See all my reviews

This review is from: Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and Their Decline (Paperback)

In my opinion, this is the best history of Rome. But it's more than just a recounting of facts and events. Montesquieu gives valuable insights into why Rome became great and then why it declined. His insights, in my humble opinion, are much more accurate than the more widely known Gibbon's The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

Highly recommended for any student of Rome, political philosophy, or political history.

~Michael E. Newton
~The Path to Tyranny: A History of Free Society's Descent into Tyranny