Poetry · Chapter
History explained
The poem satirizes the many conflicting theories about the fall of the Roman Empire, from vice and luxury to lack of coinage, before revealing that the narrator himself claims responsibility for its destruction.
What happens
The poem satirizes the many conflicting theories about the fall of the Roman Empire, from vice and luxury to lack of coinage, before revealing that the narrator himself claims responsibility for its destruction.
Themes in this chapter
Political Satire
The poem mocks the presumptuousness of historians and commentators who claim to know the true cause of Rome's fall.
Deception and Self-Deception
The narrator's final claim to have destroyed Rome is a playful deception, undermining all prior scholarly explanations.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The narrator reveals himself as the secret cause of Rome's fall.
Key passages
“What wrecked the Roman power? One says vice, Another indolence, another dice.”
People blame Rome's fall on different things: moral decay, laziness, or gambling.
The poem lists common theories for Rome's decline.
“Thus, through the ages, each presuming quack Turns the poor corpse upon its rotten back, Holds a new 'autopsy' and finds that death Resulted partly from the want of breath, But chiefly from some visitation sad That points his argument or serves his fad.”
Over time, every self-appointed expert re-examines Rome's corpse and diagnoses a cause that supports their own pet theory.
Satirizes the self-serving nature of historical analysis.
“What slew the Roman power? Well, provided You'll keep the secret, I will tell you. I did.”
If you promise not to tell, I'll confess: I am the one who destroyed Rome.
The narrator's absurd claim undercuts all previous explanations.