Gibbon and the Rise of Christianity and Islam

This is a Reading List based upon a Liberty Fund Conference on “The Rise of Christianity and Islam in Gibbon’s Decline and Fall.”

The Rise of Christianity and Islam in Gibbon’s Decline and Fall

Topic

In Gibbon’s The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire he discusses the relationship between Islam and Christianity and between religion and liberty in the nascent Muslim and Christian worlds.

Guide to the Readings

Editions used:

• Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, ed. J.B. Bury with an Introduction by W.E.H. Lecky (New York: Fred de Fau and Co., 1906), in 12 vols.

See also in the Online Library of Liberty:

• Collections: Religion
• Collections: History

For additional reading see:

• Edward Gibbon (1737-1794)
• The Quran, 4 vols

Session I: The Growth of Christianity

Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

• Volume 2, Chapter 14

Session II: The Conversion of Constantine

Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

• Volume 3, Chapter 20

Session III: The Destruction of Paganism and the Conversion of Clovis

Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

• Volume 5, Chapter 28
• Volume 6, Chapter 38

Session IV: Mahomet and the Origins of Islam

Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

• Volume 9, Chapter 50 (first half)

Session V: Mahomet as Preacher and Warrior of Islam

Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

• Volume 9, Chapter 50 (second half)

Session VI: The Crusades: Christianity and Islam in Conflict

Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

• Volume 10, Chapter 58
• Volume 10, Chapter 59