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짤은 내꺼 아님


In the second century of the Christian Æra, the empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilized portion of mankind. The frontiers of that extensive monarchy were guarded by ancient renown and disciplined valor. The gentle but powerful influence of laws and manners had gradually cemented the union of the provinces. Their peaceful inhabitants enjoyed and abused the advantages of wealth and luxury. The image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence: the Roman senate appeared to possess the sovereign authority, and devolved on the emperors all the executive powers of government. During a happy period of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines. It is the design of this, and of the two succeeding chapters, to describe the prosperous condition of their empire; and afterwards, from the death of Marcus Antoninus, to deduce the most important circumstances of its decline and fall; a revolution which will ever be remembered, and is still felt by the nations of the earth.


지금 첫 장 읽고 있는데 기번아재만큼 만연체를 잘 쓰는 사람은 처음 봄.

이 첫 문단에 책 내용과 저자의 의도를 이토록 함축적으로 표현한 것도 대단하고.

물론 18세기 후반 책이니깐 전문 서적은 아니지만, 굉장히 재미있을 거 같아.

첫 문단 읽고 역사학과 교수 되어야겠다고 결심했다