罗马帝国衰亡史——写作计划 & 感谢

It is not my intention to detain reader by expatiating on the variety, or the importance of the subject, which I have undertaken to treat;

since the merit of the choice would serve to render the weakness of the execution still more apparent, and still less excusable.

But as I have presumed to lay before the Public a first volume only of the History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, it will perhaps be expected that I should explain, in a few words, the nature and limits of my general plan.

The memorable series of revolutions, which, in the course of about thirteen centuries, gradually undermined, and at length destroyed, the solid fabric of Roman greatness, may, with some propriety be divided into the three following periods.

1. The first of these periods may be traced from the age of Trajan and the Antonines, when the Roman monarchy, having attained its full strength and maturity, began to verge towards its decline; and will extend to the subversion 颠覆 of the Western Empire, by the barbarians of Germany and Scythia, the rude ancestors of the most polished nations of modern Europe. This extraordinary revolution, which subjected Rome to the power of a Gothic conqueror, was completed about the beginning of the sixth century.

2. The second period of the Decline and Fall of Rome, may be supposed to commence with the reign of Justinian, who by his laws, as well as by his victories, restored a transient splendour to the Eastern Empire. It will comprehend包括 the invasion of Italy by the Lombards; the conquest of the Asiatic and African provinces by the Arabs, who embraced the religion of Mahomet; the revolt of the Roman people against the feeble princes of Constantinople; and the elevation of Charlemagne, who, in the year eight hundred, established the second, or German Empire of the west.

3. The last and longest of these periods includes about six centuries and a half; from the revival of the Western Empire, till the taking of Constantinople by the Turks, and the extinction of a degenerate race of princes, who continued to assume the titles of Caesar and Augustus, after their dominions were contracted to the limits of a single city; in which the language, as well as manners, of the ancient Romans, had been long since forgotten. The writer who should undertake to relate the events of this period, would find himself obliged to enter into the general history of the Crusades, as far as they contributed to the ruin of the Greek Empire; and he would scarcely be able to restrain his curiosity from making some inquiry into the state of the city of Rome, during the darkness and confusion of the middle ages.

As I have ventured, perhaps too hastily, to commit to the press, a work, which, in every sense of the word, deserves the epithet of imperfect, I consider myself as contracting an engagement to finish, most probably in a second volume, the first of these memorable periods; and to deliver to the Public, the complete history of the Decline and Fall of Rome, from the age of the Antonines, to the subversion of the Western Empire. With regard to the subsequent periods, though I may entertain some hopes, I dare not presume to give any assurances. The execution of the extensive plan which I have described, would connect the ancient and modern history of the World; but it would require many years of health, of leisure, and of perseverance.

BENTINCK-STREET,February 1, 1776.

render verb [with object]

2 [with object and complement] cause to be or become; make: the rains rendered his escape impossible.

undermine | ˌəndərˈmīn | verb [with object]

1 erode the base or foundation of (a rock formation).

• dig or excavate beneath (a building or fortification) so as to make it collapse.

2 damage or weaken (someone or something), especially gradually or insidiously: this could undermine years of hard work.

presume | prəˈz(y)o͞om | verb

第二个意思：2 [no object, with infinitive] be audacious enough to do something: kindly don't presume to issue me orders in my own house.

• [no object] make unjustified demands; take liberties: forgive me if I have presumed.

• [no object] (presume on/upon) unjustifiably regard (something) as entitling one to privileges: she knew he regarded her as his protegée, but was determined not to presume on that.

(dare) 擅自行事 to presume to do sth; 擅自做某事

audacious [ɔːˈdeɪʃəs] | ôˈdāSHəs | adjective

1 showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks: a series of audacious takeovers.

2 showing an impudent lack of respect: an audacious remark.

The entire History, which is now published, of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire in the West, abundantly discharges my engagements with the Public. Perhaps their favourable opinion may encourage me to prosecute a work, which, however laborious it may seem, is the most agreeable occupation of my leisure hours.

BENTINCK-STREET, March 1, 1781.

discharges my engagements

discharge verb | disˈCHärj | [with object]

1 tell (someone) officially that they can or must leave a place or situation.

• send (a patient) out of the hospital because they are judged fit to go home.

• dismiss or release (someone) from a job, especially from service in the armed forces or police.

• release (someone) from the custody or restraint of the law: he ordered that 1,671 prisoners of war be discharged from prison.

• relieve (a juror or jury) from serving in a case.