Beyond the frontiers, his anxious view could discover nothing, except the ocean, inhospitable deserts, hostile tribes of barbarians, of fierce manners and unknown language, or dependent kings, who would gladly purchase the emperor's protection by the sacrifice of an obnoxious fugitive. "Wherever you are," said Cicero to the exiled Marcellus, "remember that you are equally within the power of the conqueror."
The stately phrases of Gibbon are one way of describing the grandeur of the Roman Empire. But there is another way of presenting the story. For instance you can dress up in some fun clothes and set the words to well known pop songs. Weird, but somehow wonderful. There is a whole channel on Youtube created by Historyteachers dedicated to doing just this. It really is compulsive viewing - the one below is just a taster.