Chapter V, which is mostly about Septimius Severus

[nwhyte]

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,

Comments

[strange_complex]

Oh dear - it seems like every time I give Gibbon a ribbing for reading his sources too uncritically, he shows that he is capable of recognising source biases after all. This time, on Clodius Albinus, he opines"It is difficult to form a just idea of his true character. Under the philosophic cloak of austerity, he stands accused of concealing most of the vices which degrade human nature. But his accusers are those venal writers who adored the fortune of Severus, and trampled on the ashes of an unsuccessful rival."
It's a pity he isn't applying this sort of thinking more consistently, but he does show himself capable of doing it from time to time, so I will try to be more moderate in my criticism from now on