The Chief Periods of European History Six lectures read in the University of Oxford in Trinity term, 1885

"The Chief Periods of European History" by Edward A. Freeman is a set of historical lectures that review pivotal moments in Europe, focusing on the enduring effects of ancient Rome and its power over time. It examines the transformations in European civilization before, during, and after the Roman Empire, offering observations about its progression. The book starts by explaining how intellectual and cultural leadership shifted from Greece toward Rome. Freeman presents a way of dividing European history into important eras: before Roman dominance, the period of Roman rule, and the time after Rome's decline. He points out how important it is to grasp Rome's effect on European identity, government, and culture, and suggests that its collapse had major consequences. The book calls readers to carefully consider historical events and their broader importance in shaping Europe as we know it.