Customer Reviews

Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and Their Decline

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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.

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.

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