History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume 1 - Chapter I Part 1

In which the Roman Empire under the Antonines is presented as a vast and flourishing dominion, secured by wise laws and disciplined legions, extending its influence across diverse and often untamed lands while embracing a judicious policy of moderation and consolidation. The narrative expounds on the measured conquests and frontier defences, highlighting the enduring challenges posed by distant peoples and climates, and the ambitions of emperors who sought glory amid the empire’s careful preservation and occasional expansion.