Research Paper on:
Chapters Fifteen and Sixteen of Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon

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first published between 1776 and 1788. The second volume of Gibbons work (in which chapters 15 and 16 appear) is largely concerned with the age of Constantine, which means  that this portion of the work was crucial to Gibbons overall purpose (Radice, 9). This was because the introduction of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire was the central  event that, in Gibbons view, brought about the turning-point that marked the downfall of Rome. However, before discussing Constantine, Gibbon summarizes the twenty-year reign of Diocletian, whose important reforms and  innovations had a lasting effect on history (Radice 9). In chapters 15 and 16, Gibbon temporarily abandons his chronological survey of Roman history for a significant digression. In these  chapters, he first analyzes the reasons for the spread of Christian belief and for setting up the primitive church. In Chapter 15, Gibbon begins by unreservedly praising the "pure and  humble religion" that had so greatly insinuated itself into the minds of men" (p. 93). Largely, in this section, Gibbon describes why Christianity spread so quickly across the face  of the Roman Empire. Gibbon attributes this to five factors. These are: 1) the inflexible, intolerant zeal of Christians; 2) the doctrine of eternal life; 3) the miraculous powers ascribed  to the primitive church; 4) the pure and austere morals of the Christians; and 5) the union and discipline of the Christian republic, which gradually formed an "independent and increasing  state in the heart of the Roman Empire" (p. 94). Following this, Gibbon discusses each point in turn. In Chapter 15, Gibbon begins by unreservedly praising the "pure and  humble religion" that had so greatly insinuated itself into the minds of men" (p. 93). Largely, in this section, Gibbon describes why Christianity spread so quickly across the face