Chapter V, which is mostly about Septimius Severus
Read it here, here and here.
1) Good quotes
Thin pickings, though I liked the explanation of why modern European wars are worse: The civil wars of modern Europe have been distinguished, not only by the fierce animosity, but likewise by the obstinate perseverance, of the contending factions. They have generally been justified by some principle, or, at least coloured by some pretext, of religion, freedom, or loyalty. The leaders were nobles of independent property and hereditary influence. The troops fought like men interested in a decision of the quarrel; and as military spirit and party zeal were strongly diffused throughout the whole community, a vanquished chief was immediately supplied with new adherents, eager to shed their blood in the same cause. But the Romans, after the fall of the republic, combated only for the choice of masters.
...and the slightly Macchiavellian take of these two sentences towards the end: The true interest of an absolute monarch generally coincides with that of his people. Their numbers, their wealth, their order, and their security, are the best and only foundations of his real greatness; and were he totally devoid of virtue, prudence might supply its place, and would dictate the same rule of conduct.
After all, this is a book about statesmanship in theory as well as in practice. Along the same lines, slightly earlier, he defends Clodius Albinus from the fact that he was favoured by Commodus: The favour of a tyrant does not always suppose a want of merit in the object of it; he may, without intending it, reward a man of worth and ability, or he may find such a man useful to his own service.
On Pescennius Niger's style of leadership: the voluptuous Syrians were less delighted with the mild firmness of his administration, than with the affability of his manners, and the apparent pleasure with which he attended their frequent and pompous festivals... whilst he enjoyed the vain pomp of triumph, he neglected to secure the means of victory.
This is not the first or last time that Gibbon paints the Syrians as being voluptuous (or equivalent). Contrast with the more successful style of Septimius Severus: The almost incredible expedition of Severus, who, in so short a space of time, conducted a numerous army from the banks of the Danube to those of the Tiber, proves at once the plenty of provisions produced by agriculture and commerce, the goodness of the roads, the discipline of the legions, and the indolent subdued temper of the provinces.
2) Summary
After Pertinax is murdered, the Prætorian Guards auction the empire to the highest bidder, one Didius Julianus. His rule is contested by Clodius Albinus in Britain, Septimius Severus in Pannonia, and Pescennius Niger in Syria. Septimius Severus outwits and kills the other three (starting with Didius Julianus), and settles down to rule Rome.
3) Questions Arising
On the main narrative, the baffling thing is why Gibbon is so down on Septimius Severus, to the point that the chapter concludes: Posterity, who experienced the fatal effects of his maxims and example, justly considered him as the principal author of the decline of the Roman empire.
But we are promised more on that score in the next chapter. There certainly isn't much evidence for the prosecution here: it looks as if Severus rescued the empire from the chaos caused by the Prætorians who are the real villains of the piece.
Coming next: Chapter VI on Septimius Severus, Caracalla, Macrinus, Elagabalus and Alexander Severus - here, here and here.
1) Good quotes
Thin pickings, though I liked the explanation of why modern European wars are worse: The civil wars of modern Europe have been distinguished, not only by the fierce animosity, but likewise by the obstinate perseverance, of the contending factions. They have generally been justified by some principle, or, at least coloured by some pretext, of religion, freedom, or loyalty. The leaders were nobles of independent property and hereditary influence. The troops fought like men interested in a decision of the quarrel; and as military spirit and party zeal were strongly diffused throughout the whole community, a vanquished chief was immediately supplied with new adherents, eager to shed their blood in the same cause. But the Romans, after the fall of the republic, combated only for the choice of masters.
...and the slightly Macchiavellian take of these two sentences towards the end: The true interest of an absolute monarch generally coincides with that of his people. Their numbers, their wealth, their order, and their security, are the best and only foundations of his real greatness; and were he totally devoid of virtue, prudence might supply its place, and would dictate the same rule of conduct.
After all, this is a book about statesmanship in theory as well as in practice. Along the same lines, slightly earlier, he defends Clodius Albinus from the fact that he was favoured by Commodus: The favour of a tyrant does not always suppose a want of merit in the object of it; he may, without intending it, reward a man of worth and ability, or he may find such a man useful to his own service.
On Pescennius Niger's style of leadership: the voluptuous Syrians were less delighted with the mild firmness of his administration, than with the affability of his manners, and the apparent pleasure with which he attended their frequent and pompous festivals... whilst he enjoyed the vain pomp of triumph, he neglected to secure the means of victory.
This is not the first or last time that Gibbon paints the Syrians as being voluptuous (or equivalent). Contrast with the more successful style of Septimius Severus: The almost incredible expedition of Severus, who, in so short a space of time, conducted a numerous army from the banks of the Danube to those of the Tiber, proves at once the plenty of provisions produced by agriculture and commerce, the goodness of the roads, the discipline of the legions, and the indolent subdued temper of the provinces.
2) Summary
After Pertinax is murdered, the Prætorian Guards auction the empire to the highest bidder, one Didius Julianus. His rule is contested by Clodius Albinus in Britain, Septimius Severus in Pannonia, and Pescennius Niger in Syria. Septimius Severus outwits and kills the other three (starting with Didius Julianus), and settles down to rule Rome.
3) Questions Arising
On the main narrative, the baffling thing is why Gibbon is so down on Septimius Severus, to the point that the chapter concludes: Posterity, who experienced the fatal effects of his maxims and example, justly considered him as the principal author of the decline of the Roman empire.
But we are promised more on that score in the next chapter. There certainly isn't much evidence for the prosecution here: it looks as if Severus rescued the empire from the chaos caused by the Prætorians who are the real villains of the piece.
Coming next: Chapter VI on Septimius Severus, Caracalla, Macrinus, Elagabalus and Alexander Severus - here, here and here.