Samuel Taylor Coleridge Quote

The true key to the declension of the Roman empire — which is not to be found in all Gibbon's immense work — may be stated in two words: — the imperial character overlaying, and finally destroying, the national character. Rome under Trajan was an empire without a nation.


15 August 1833 - Table Talk (1821-1834)


The true key to the declension of the Roman empire — which is not to be found in all Gibbon's immense work — may be stated in two words: — the...

The true key to the declension of the Roman empire — which is not to be found in all Gibbon's immense work — may be stated in two words: — the...

The true key to the declension of the Roman empire — which is not to be found in all Gibbon's immense work — may be stated in two words: — the...

The true key to the declension of the Roman empire — which is not to be found in all Gibbon's immense work — may be stated in two words: — the...