I’ve finally, after more than ten months, made it to the end of the first of the three blockbuster Penguin volumes of the complete Decline and Fall, so I’m logging it here as a book finished in July (if started in September 2009).

Just for reference, the chapters here are: Prefacegeographical introductionthe Empire in the age of the Antoninesthe constitution of the Empirethe cruelty, follies and murder of Commodus [with added Pertinax]Septimius SeverusCaracalla, Macrinus, Elagabalus and Alexander Severus; and taxationthe Year of Six Emperors, and Philip the ArabPersiaGermanyGothsAurelianthe rise of Diocletianmore Diocletianthe rise of Constantineearly Christianityearly Chritianity and the EmpireConstantinople and Constantine’s system of governmentConstantine and his successorsConstantius, Gallus and Julianthe conversion of Constantine and the establishment of Christianityheresy and paganismthe rise of Julian the ApostateJulian and his ApostasyJulian’s Persian campaign, and his deathJulian’s successors, magic, and the inhabitants of Scotlandthe Goths infiltrate.

I find that already I have difficulty in remembering why Aurelian or Septimius Severus were so important, but at least I know where to look if I need to. The most impassioned run of chapters is the three or four dealing with Julian; the quote that still gives me giggles is the one about the lascivious dances of Elagabalus’s temple maidens in Chapter VI. Onwards, and upwards!