History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 5

"History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 5" by Edward Gibbon is a historical account written in the late 18th century. This volume delves into the complex interplay between the church and state during the time of the Frankish conquests in Italy, focusing particularly on the significant figures and events that characterized this transformative period. The opening of the volume introduces themes of ecclesiastical authority and popular revolt during the iconoclastic controversies, detailing how the worship of images spurred widespread dissent in Italy. Gibbon examines the influential role of the popes in this dynamic, particularly in relation to the rise of Charlemagne as a dominant force in the region. The narrative establishes a context of political intrigue, religious fervor, and societal upheaval, particularly as it describes the precarious balance of power between the Byzantine Empire, the newly assertive papacy, and the ambitious Frankish kings. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edward Gibbon was an English essayist, historian, and politician. His most important work, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, published in six volumes between 1776 and 1789, is known for the quality and irony of its prose, its use of primary sources, and its polemical criticism of organized religion.