|
America a New Rome?
Reflections on Decline and Fall
by
William L. Urban
Professor Emeritus of History
Monmouth College
Three great events occurred in 1776: the first
edition of
the Encyclopedia Britannica, the American Revolution,
and the publication of Edward Gibbon’ss
Decline and Fall of
the Roman Empire.All three are related to the most
important question any historian can ask, “Why do nations
rise and fall?”
As Romans and Americans alike saw their history, they rose
quickly from small settlements to great states, both became
great military powers and centers of culture, and their
languages became spoken across the known world. In recent
years the decline of American influence in the world has
invited comparisons with Gibbon’s model. Is this justified?
William Urban taught history at
Monmouth College from 1966 until 2015. In 1996 he was named the Lee
L. Morgan Professor of History and International Studies. William Urban taught history at
Monmouth College from 1966 until 2015. In 1996 he was named the Lee
L. Morgan Professor of History and International Studies.
Biography of the Speaker /
Photo of the Speaker
Program /
Flyer
7:30 P.M.
Monday,
February 29, 2016
Center for Science & Business 100 - Pattee Auditorium
Monmouth College,
Monmouth, Illinois
|
