← History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 1

History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 1 — Page 12

English → It Full Text Level 9/10

He has undergone the triple scrutiny of theological zeal quickened by just resentment, of literary emulation, and of that mean and invidious vanity which delights in detecting errors in writers of established fame.

Egli ha subito il triplice esame dello zelo teologico ravvivato da un giusto risentimento, dell'emulazione letteraria, e di quella meschina e invidiosa vanità che si compiace nello scoprire errori negli scrittori di fama consolidata.

On the result of the trial, we may be permitted to summon competent witnesses before we deliver our own judgment.

Sul risultato di tale esame, ci sia consentito chiamare testimoni competenti prima di pronunciare il nostro proprio giudizio.

M. Guizot, in his preface, after stating that in France and Germany, as well as in England, in the most enlightened countries of Europe, Gibbon is constantly cited as an authority, thus proceeds:—

Il signor Guizot, nella sua prefazione, dopo aver dichiarato che in Francia e in Germania, come in Inghilterra, nei paesi più illuminati d'Europa, Gibbon è costantemente citato come un'autorità, prosegue così:—

"I have had occasion, during my labors, to consult the writings of philosophers, who have treated on the finances of the Roman empire; of scholars, who have investigated the chronology; of theologians, who have searched the depths of ecclesiastical history; of writers on law, who have studied with care the Roman jurisprudence; of Orientalists, who have occupied themselves with the Arabians and the Koran; of modern historians, who have entered upon extensive researches touching the crusades and their influence; each of these writers has remarked and pointed out, in the 'History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,' some negligences, some false or imperfect views, some omissions, which it is impossible not to suppose voluntary; they have rectified some facts, combated with advantage some assertions; but in general they have taken the researches and the ideas of Gibbon, as points of departure, or as proofs of the researches or of the new opinions which they have advanced."

«Ho avuto occasione, nel corso delle mie fatiche, di consultare gli scritti di filosofi che hanno trattato delle finanze dell'impero romano; di studiosi che hanno indagato la cronologia; di teologi che hanno sondato le profondità della storia ecclesiastica; di giuristi che hanno studiato con cura la giurisprudenza romana; di orientalisti che si sono occupati degli Arabi e del Corano; di storici moderni che si sono dedicati ad ampie ricerche sulle crociate e sulla loro influenza; ciascuno di questi scrittori ha rilevato e segnalato, nella 'Storia della decadenza e caduta dell'impero romano,' alcune negligenze, alcune vedute false o imperfette, alcune omissioni che è impossibile non supporre volontarie; hanno rettificato alcuni fatti, combattuto con vantaggio alcune affermazioni; ma in generale hanno preso le ricerche e le idee di Gibbon come punti di partenza, o come prove delle ricerche o delle nuove opinioni da loro avanzate.»

Il signor

Vocabulary

Egli: EH-lyee — Third person singular masculine pronoun meaning 'he'.
ha: ah — Third person singular present tense of 'avere', meaning 'has'.
subito: SOO-bee-toh — Immediately; also past participle of 'subire', meaning 'undergone'.
il: eel — Definite article for masculine singular nouns meaning 'the'.
triplice: TREE-plee-cheh — Triple or threefold; consisting of three parts.
esame: eh-ZAH-meh — Examination or scrutiny of something or someone.
dello: DEL-loh — Contraction of 'di' and 'lo', meaning 'of the'.
zelo: DZEH-loh — Zeal; enthusiastic devotion or diligence toward a cause.
teologico: teh-oh-LOH-jee-koh — Relating to theology or religious doctrine and study.
ravvivato: rahv-vee-VAH-toh — Revived or reinvigorated; brought back to life or energy.
da: dah — Preposition meaning 'by', 'from', or 'since'.
un: oon — Indefinite article for masculine singular nouns meaning 'a'.
giusto: JOOS-toh — Just, fair, or righteous; also meaning 'correct' or 'right'.
risentimento: ree-zen-tee-MEN-toh — Resentment; bitter indignation from unfair treatment.
dell': del — Contraction of 'di' and 'la' or 'lo' before a vowel.
emulazione: eh-moo-lah-TSYOH-neh — Emulation; desire to match or surpass another's achievements.
letteraria: let-teh-RAH-ryah — Literary; relating to literature or written works.
e: eh — Conjunction meaning 'and', connecting words or clauses.
di: dee — Preposition meaning 'of', 'from', or 'by'.
quella: KWEL-lah — Demonstrative adjective or pronoun meaning 'that' (feminine).
meschina: mes-KEE-nah — Petty, mean, or miserable; of poor or wretched character.
invidiosa: een-vee-DYOH-zah — Envious or jealous; full of envy toward others.
vanità: vah-nee-TAH — Vanity; excessive pride or conceit about oneself.
che: keh — Relative pronoun or conjunction meaning 'that', 'which', or 'who'.
si: see — Reflexive pronoun meaning 'oneself' or impersonal 'one'.
compiace: kom-PYAH-cheh — Takes pleasure or delights in something; third person singular.
nello: NEL-loh — Contraction of 'in' and 'lo', meaning 'in the'.
scoprire: skoh-PREE-reh — To discover or uncover something previously unknown.
errori: er-ROH-ree — Errors or mistakes; plural of 'errore'.
negli: NEH-lyee — Contraction of 'in' and 'gli', meaning 'in the' (masculine plural).
scrittori: skreet-TOH-ree — Writers or authors; plural of 'scrittore'.
fama: FAH-mah — Fame or reputation; widespread recognition of achievement.
consolidata: kon-soh-lee-DAH-tah — Consolidated or established; firmly settled over time.
Sul: sool — Contraction of 'su' and 'il', meaning 'on the'.
risultato: ree-zool-TAH-toh — Result or outcome of an action or process.
tale: TAH-leh — Such or such a; of that kind or nature.
ci: chee — Reflexive or indirect pronoun meaning 'us', 'to us', or 'here'.
sia: SYAH — Subjunctive form of 'essere', meaning 'be' or 'may be'.
consentito: kon-sen-TEE-toh — Permitted or allowed; given consent or authorization.
chiamare: kyah-MAH-reh — To call or name someone or something.
testimoni: tes-TEE-moh-nee — Witnesses; persons who observe and can testify to events.
competenti: kom-peh-TEN-tee — Competent or qualified; having necessary skills or knowledge.
prima: PREE-mah — Before or first; indicating priority in time or order.
pronunciare: proh-noon-CHAH-reh — To pronounce or deliver; to formally state a judgment.
nostro: NOS-troh — Our; possessive adjective for first person plural.
proprio: PROH-pryoh — Own; belonging to oneself; also meaning 'exactly' or 'really'.
giudizio: joo-DEE-tsyoh — Judgment or opinion; assessment of merit or truth.
Il: eel — Definite article for masculine singular nouns meaning 'the'.
signor: see-NYOR — Mister or Sir; title of respect for a man.
nella: NEL-lah — Contraction of 'in' and 'la', meaning 'in the' (feminine).
sua: SOO-ah — His, her, or its; possessive adjective (feminine singular form).
prefazione: preh-fah-TSYOH-neh — Preface or foreword introducing a book or work.
dopo: DOH-poh — After or afterwards; following in time or order.
aver: ah-VEHR — Infinitive 'avere' contracted; meaning 'to have'.
dichiarato: dee-kyah-RAH-toh — Declared or stated openly and formally.
in: een — Preposition meaning 'in', 'into', or 'at'.
Francia: FRAN-chah — France; the country in Western Europe.
Germania: jer-MAH-nyah — Germany; the country in Central Europe.
come: KOH-meh — As or like; conjunction or adverb of comparison.
Inghilterra: een-gheel-TER-rah — England or Great Britain; the island nation in northwest Europe.
nei: neh-ee — Contraction of 'in' and 'i', meaning 'in the' (masculine plural).
paesi: pah-EH-zee — Countries or villages; plural of 'paese'.
più: pyoo — More or most; comparative or superlative adverb of degree.
illuminati: eel-loo-mee-NAH-tee — Enlightened or educated; intellectually advanced people.
d': dee — Contraction of 'di' before a vowel meaning 'of' or 'from'.
Europa: eh-oo-ROH-pah — Europe; the continent in the northern hemisphere.
è: eh — Third person singular of 'essere', meaning 'is'.
costantemente: kos-tan-teh-MEN-teh — Constantly or consistently; without variation or interruption.
citato: chee-TAH-toh — Cited or quoted; referred to as a source or authority.
un': oon — Indefinite article before feminine nouns starting with a vowel.
autorità: ah-oo-toh-ree-TAH — Authority; a recognized source of expertise or power.
prosegue: proh-SEH-gweh — Continues or proceeds; goes on with an action or speech.
così: koh-ZEE — Thus or so; in this way or manner.
Ho: oh — First person singular present of 'avere', meaning 'I have'.
avuto: ah-VOO-toh — Past participle of 'avere', meaning 'had'.
occasione: ok-kah-ZYOH-neh — Occasion or opportunity; a suitable time for something.
nel: nel — Contraction of 'in' and 'il', meaning 'in the' (masculine singular).
corso: KOR-soh — Course or progression; the flow of events or studies.
delle: DEL-leh — Contraction of 'di' and 'le', meaning 'of the' (feminine plural).
mie: MEE-eh — My; possessive adjective feminine plural form.
fatiche: fah-TEE-keh — Labors or toils; demanding efforts or hard work.
consultare: kon-sool-TAH-reh — To consult or refer to; to seek information from a source.
gli: lyee — Definite article or pronoun for masculine plural meaning 'the' or 'them'.
scritti: SKREET-tee — Writings or texts; plural of 'scritto', written works.
filosofi: fee-LOH-zoh-fee — Philosophers; thinkers who study fundamental questions of existence.
hanno: AHN-noh — Third person plural present of 'avere', meaning 'they have'.
trattato: traht-TAH-toh — Treated or dealt with; also a treaty or treatise.
finanze: fee-NAHN-tseh — Finances; monetary resources and management of money.
impero: eem-PEH-roh — Empire; a large political unit under a single authority.
romano: roh-MAH-noh — Roman; relating to Rome or the Roman civilization.
studiosi: stoo-DYOH-zee — Scholars or studious persons; dedicated to academic research.
indagato: een-dah-GAH-toh — Investigated or examined thoroughly; past participle of 'indagare'.
la: lah — Definite article for feminine singular nouns meaning 'the'.
cronologia: kroh-noh-LOH-jah — Chronology; the arrangement of events in time order.
teologi: teh-OH-loh-jee — Theologians; scholars who study religion and religious doctrine.
sondato: son-DAH-toh — Probed or sounded; explored the depths of something.
le: leh — Definite article or pronoun for feminine plural meaning 'the' or 'them'.
profondità: proh-fon-dee-TAH — Depth or profundity; great depth physically or intellectually.
della: DEL-lah — Contraction of 'di' and 'la', meaning 'of the' (feminine singular).
storia: STOH-ryah — History or story; the record or narrative of past events.
ecclesiastica: ek-kleh-ZYAHS-tee-kah — Ecclesiastical; relating to the Christian church and its history.
giuristi: joo-REES-tee — Jurists or legal scholars; experts in law and jurisprudence.
studiato: stoo-DYAH-toh — Studied or examined carefully; past participle of 'studiare'.
con: kon — Preposition meaning 'with'; indicating accompaniment or means.
cura: KOO-rah — Care or attention; diligence in doing something well.
giurisprudenza: joo-rees-proo-DEN-tsah — Jurisprudence; the theory and philosophy of law.
romana: roh-MAH-nah — Roman; feminine form relating to Rome or Roman civilization.
orientalisti: oh-ryen-tah-LEES-tee — Orientalists; scholars specializing in Eastern cultures and languages.
sono: SOH-noh — Third person plural of 'essere', meaning 'they are'; also 'I am'.
occupati: ok-koo-PAH-tee — Occupied or engaged; busy with a particular subject or task.
degli: DEH-lyee — Contraction of 'di' and 'gli', meaning 'of the' (masculine plural).
Arabi: AH-rah-bee — Arabs; the people of Arabic culture and language.
del: del — Contraction of 'di' and 'il', meaning 'of the' (masculine singular).
Corano: koh-RAH-noh — The Quran; the holy scripture of Islam.
storici: STOH-ree-chee — Historians; scholars who study and write about history.
moderni: moh-DER-nee — Modern; relating to contemporary or recent times.
dedicati: deh-dee-KAH-tee — Dedicated or devoted; committed to a particular purpose.
ad: ahd — Preposition 'a' used before vowels, meaning 'to' or 'at'.
ampie: AHM-pyeh — Ample or broad; extensive in scope or size (feminine plural).
ricerche: ree-CHER-keh — Research or investigations; systematic scholarly inquiries.
sulle: SOOL-leh — Contraction of 'su' and 'le', meaning 'on the' (feminine plural).
crociate: kroh-CHAH-teh — Crusades; medieval Christian military campaigns to the Holy Land.
sulla: SOOL-lah — Contraction of 'su' and 'la', meaning 'on the' (feminine singular).
loro: LOH-roh — Their or them; third person plural possessive or pronoun.
influenza: een-floo-EN-tsah — Influence; the power to affect outcomes or opinions.
ciascuno: chah-SKOO-noh — Each one or everyone; referring to every individual separately.
questi: KWES-tee — These; demonstrative pronoun or adjective masculine plural.
rilevato: ree-leh-VAH-toh — Noted or pointed out; detected and brought to attention.
segnalato: seh-nyah-LAH-toh — Signaled or reported; indicated as noteworthy or important.
Storia: STOH-ryah — History; the academic study or written account of past events.
decadenza: deh-kah-DEN-tsah — Decadence or decline; deterioration from a former state of excellence.
caduta: kah-DOO-tah — Fall or collapse; the act of falling from power or position.
alcune: ahl-KOO-neh — Some or a few; an indefinite small number (feminine plural).
negligenze: neh-lee-JEN-tseh — Negligences or oversights; failures to take proper care.
vedute: veh-DOO-teh — Views or perspectives; opinions or ways of seeing things.
false: FAHL-seh — False or incorrect; not true or accurate (feminine plural).
o: oh — Conjunction meaning 'or'; presenting an alternative.
imperfette: eem-per-FET-teh — Imperfect or flawed; incomplete or having deficiencies (feminine plural).
omissioni: oh-mees-SYOH-nee — Omissions; things left out or not included.
impossibile: eem-pos-SEE-bee-leh — Impossible; not able to occur or be done.
non: non — Not; negation particle used to negate verbs or statements.
supporre: soop-POR-reh — To suppose or assume; to consider something as likely true.
volontarie: voh-lon-TAH-ryeh — Voluntary or intentional; done by free will (feminine plural).
rettificato: ret-tee-fee-KAH-toh — Corrected or rectified; set right after an error.
alcuni: ahl-KOO-nee — Some or a few; an indefinite small number (masculine plural).
fatti: FAHT-tee — Facts; true pieces of information or things done.
combattuto: kom-baht-TOO-toh — Combated or contested; fought against or disputed.
vantaggio: van-TAHD-joh — Advantage or benefit; a favorable position or gain.
affermazioni: ahf-fer-mah-TSYOH-nee — Affirmations or assertions; positive declarations or statements.
ma: mah — But; conjunction indicating contrast or exception.
generale: jeh-neh-RAH-leh — General; relating to the whole rather than specific parts.
preso: PREH-zoh — Taken; past participle of 'prendere', meaning 'taken' or 'adopted'.
idee: ee-DEH-eh — Ideas; thoughts or concepts formed in the mind.
punti: POON-tee — Points; specific locations, scores, or arguments in discussion.
partenza: par-TEN-tsah — Departure or starting point; the beginning of a journey or argument.
prove: PROH-veh — Proofs or evidence; demonstrations of truth or testing.
nuove: NWOH-veh — New; recently created or not previously known (feminine plural).
opinioni: oh-pee-NYOH-nee — Opinions; personal views or judgments about something.
avanzate: ah-van-TSAH-teh — Advanced or put forward; proposed or set forth (feminine plural).

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