Written in the late 18th century, Edward Gibbon’s landmark The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is a sweeping account of the 3 main periods, starting at the height of the Roman Empire and ending with the fall of Constantinople, that saw the near collapse of Western Civilization. Covering the period from 98 to 1590 AD, Gibbon provides an immaculately researched understanding of the reasons behind Rome’s fall, citing physical threats such as an ongoing barbarian onslaught, systemic abuses of power, and the rise of Christianity as key stress factors that led to the "Dark Ages". Gibbon’s achievement with this series has led many to consider him one of the first modern historians, given his use of footnotes, primary sourcing, and other methods that have deeply influenced contemporary historians to this day. An army of volunteer narrators has narrated this entire six-volume, 120-hour unabridged audio book for Librivox.
Here are the other volumes:
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. II
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. III
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. IV
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. V
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. VI