--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: While the Romans languished under the…" description: "\"While the Romans languished under the ignominious tyranny of eunuchs and bishops, the praises of Julian were repeated with transport in every part of t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/edward-gibbon-710_bishops_while-the-romans-languished-under-the-ig_2352512.png" --- # While the Romans languished under the ignominious tyranny… ![“While the Romans languished under the ignominious tyranny of eunuchs and bishops, the praises of Julian were repeated with transport in every part of the empire, except in the palace of Constantius.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/edward-gibbon-710_bishops_while-the-romans-languished-under-the-ig_2352512.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/edward-gibbon-710_bishops_while-the-romans-languished-under-the-ig_2352512.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/edward-gibbon-710_bishops_while-the-romans-languished-under-the-ig_2352512.png) > “While the Romans languished under the ignominious tyranny of eunuchs and bishops, the praises of Julian were repeated with transport in every part of the empire, except in the palace of Constantius.” [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even in times of oppression, admiration for strong leaders can spread, except where power directly controls narratives. **In simple terms:** People admire leaders despite oppression, unless suppressed. Key Takeaway Recognize how narratives shape perception of leadership. Themes politics history propaganda Mood critical thoughtful Type analytical historical When to use this quote - academic study - political analysis - media criticism - leadership training - civic education Key Concepts authority public opinion Questions to Reflect On - How do power structures influence public admiration? - What role does media play in shaping historical narratives? A Different Perspective Oppression can silence dissent, limiting the spread of praise. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bishops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bishops/) [Empires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empires/) [Eunuchs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eunuchs/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Ignominious Tyranny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignominious-tyranny-5731194/) [Julian Repeated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/julian-repeated-5731193/) [Palace Constantius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/palace-constantius-5731192/) [Palaces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/palaces/) [Praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praise/) [Praises Julian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praises-julian-5731195/) [Roman empire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roman-empire/) [Romans Languished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romans-languished-5731191/) [Transport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transport/) [Tyranny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyranny/) ## Related quotes > [The German huts, open on every side to the eye of indiscretion or jealousy, were a better safeguard of conjugal fidelity than the walls,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-german-huts-open-on-every-side-to-the-eye-of-indiscretion-or/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Think of it! A second chamber selected by the Whips. A seraglio of eunuchs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-foot/think-of-it-a-second-chamber-selected-by-the-whips-a-seraglio-of/) [Michael Foot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-foot/) > [There was a Russian cult of eunuchs known as the Skoptsy who were renowned for their proficiency as mathematicians, bankers, and moneylenders. Outsiders called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamilton-morris/there-was-a-russian-cult-of-eunuchs-known-as-the-skoptsy-who-were/) [Hamilton Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamilton-morris/) > [God knows, people who are paid to have attitudes toward things, professional critics, make me sick; camp-following eunuchs of literature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/god-knows-people-who-are-paid-to-have-attitudes-toward-things-2/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [“Because, my dear, in the spiritual life opposites meet. It's not the cold passionless ones who become great ascetics, but the most hot-blooded, people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antal-szerb/because-my-dear-in-the-spiritual-life-opposites-meet-it-s-not-the/) [Antal Szerb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antal-szerb/) > [I detest symbolic protest, as it is an outcry of weak, middle-of-the-road, liberal eunuchs. If an individual feels strongly enough about something to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-powell/i-detest-symbolic-protest-as-it-is-an-outcry-of-weak-middle-of-the/) [William Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-powell/) > [History has different yardsticks for the cruelty of the Northerners and the cruelty of the Southerners in the Civil War. A slave-owner who through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-trotsky/history-has-different-yardsticks-for-the-cruelty-of-the-northerners/) [Leon Trotsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-trotsky/) > [Women are made to be led, and counseled, and directed…And if I am not a good man, I have no just right in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heber-c-kimball/women-are-made-to-be-led-and-counseled-and-directed-and-if-i-am-not-a/) [Heber C. Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heber-c-kimball/) > [Birds buildbut not I build; no, but strain, Time's eunuch, and not breed one work that wakes. Mine,O thou lord of life, send my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-manley-hopkins/birds-buildbut-not-i-build-no-but-strain-time-s-eunuch-and-not-breed/) [Gerard Manley Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-manley-hopkins/) > [Critics of art are like eunuchs in harem. They see how it's done when the men come to see the women, but they can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-busey/critics-of-art-are-like-eunuchs-in-harem-they-see-how-it-s-done-when/) [Gary Busey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-busey/) > [One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman. No biological, psychological, or economic fate determines the figure that the human female presents in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/one-is-not-born-but-rather-becomes-a-woman-no-biological/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [Well, well, well, well. If it isn't fat, stinking billygoat Billy-Boy in poison. How art thou, thou globby bottle of cheap, stinking chip-oil? Come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-burgess/well-well-well-well-if-it-isn-t-fat-stinking-billygoat-billy-boy-in/) [Anthony Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-burgess/) > [Asian American men, Asian men have been basically eunuchs in American cinema and television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/asian-american-men-asian-men-have-been-basically-eunuchs-in-american/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [The eunuch had looked death in the face, so near he might have kissed her on the lips.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin-2/the-eunuch-had-looked-death-in-the-face-so-near-he-might-have-kissed/) [George R. R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin-2/) > [I managed to get my copy of Ulysses through safely this time. I rather wish I had never read it. It gives me an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/i-managed-to-get-my-copy-of-ulysses-through-safely-this-time-i-rather/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) ## More by Edward Gibbon > [ That country \[Carthage\] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws;… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinking-into-the-state-of-barbarism/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [The sectaries of a persecuted religion, depressed by fear, animated with resentment, and perhaps heated by enthusiasm, are seldom in a proper temper of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-sectaries-of-a-persecuted-religion-depressed-by-fear-animated/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [A heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/a-heart-to-resolve-a-head-to-contrive-and-a-hand-to-execute/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [ \[In\] the national and religious conflict of the \[Byzantine and Saracen\] empires, peace was without confidence, and war without mercy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/in-the-national-and-religious-conflict-of-the-byzantine-and-saracen/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Instead of a perpetual and perfect measure of the divine will, the fragments of the Koran were produced at the discretion of Mahomet; each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/instead-of-a-perpetual-and-perfect-measure-of-the-divine-will-the/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Constantinople was the principal seat and fortress of Arianism; and, in a long interval of forty years, the faith of the princes and prelates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/constantinople-was-the-principal-seat-and-fortress-of-arianism-and-in/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [It is the common calamity of old age to lose whatever might have rendered it desirable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/it-is-the-common-calamity-of-old-age-to-lose-whatever-might-have/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [If a man were called to fix the period in the history of the world during which the condition of the human race was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/if-a-man-were-called-to-fix-the-period-in-the-history-of-the-world/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [If all the barbarian conquerors had been annihilated in the same hour, their total destruction would not have restored the empire of the West:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/if-all-the-barbarian-conquerors-had-been-annihilated-in-the-same-hour/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [But the desire of obtaining the advantages, and of escaping the burthens, of political society, is a perpetual and inexhaustible source of discord; nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/but-the-desire-of-obtaining-the-advantages-and-of-escaping-the/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [ \[Every\] hour of delay abates the fame and force of the invader, and multiplies the resources of defensive war. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/every-hour-of-delay-abates-the-fame-and-force-of-the-invader-and/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [The science of the church is neglected for the study of geometry, and they lose sight of Heaven while they are employed in measuring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-science-of-the-church-is-neglected-for-the-study-of-geometry-and/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [The progress of despotism tends to disappoint its own purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-progress-of-despotism-tends-to-disappoint-its-own-purpose/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [From the paths of blood (and such is the history of nations) I cannot refuse to turn aside to gather some flowers of science…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/from-the-paths-of-blood-and-such-is-the-history-of-nations-i-cannot/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [A nation of slaves is always prepared to applaud the clemency of their master who, in the abuse of absolute power, does not proceed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/a-nation-of-slaves-is-always-prepared-to-applaud-the-clemency-of/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) [Explore all 399 Edward Gibbon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) ## More Bishops quotes > [The good Bishop of Assisi expressed a sort of horror at the hard life which the Little Brothers lived at the Portiuncula, without comforts,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-good-bishop-of-assisi-expressed-a-sort-of-horror-at-the-hard-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My last two characters have been Denethor and Walter Bishop. Both will be hard acts to follow. That sits in the hands of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-noble/my-last-two-characters-have-been-denethor-and-walter-bishop-both-will/) [John Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-noble/) > [The one thing that the Catholic Church desires, and that I seek as Bishop of Rome, “the Church which presides in charity”, is communion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/the-one-thing-that-the-catholic-church-desires-and-that-i-seek-as/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [And the bigger the fall, the bigger the joke. It would be better fun to throw a custard pie at a bishop than at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/and-the-bigger-the-fall-the-bigger-the-joke-it-would-be-better-fun-to/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [I don't see Jesus as rescuing the fallen; I see Jesus as expanding the potential of life. The primary reason the old idea of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shelby-spong/i-don-t-see-jesus-as-rescuing-the-fallen-i-see-jesus-as-expanding-the/) [John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shelby-spong/) > [It was a blonde. A blonde to make a bishop kick a hole in a stained-glass window.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-chandler/it-was-a-blonde-a-blonde-to-make-a-bishop-kick-a-hole-in-a-stained/) [Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-chandler/) > [We want to create, never mind the leaders or the bishops or chief rabbis or imams, or Popes. We want to create a grassroots…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/we-want-to-create-never-mind-the-leaders-or-the-bishops-or-chief/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) > [Only a good bishop can be sacrificed, a bad bishop can only be lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuri-razuvaev/only-a-good-bishop-can-be-sacrificed-a-bad-bishop-can-only-be-lost/) [Yuri Razuvaev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuri-razuvaev/) > [Archbishop Milingo is a good Bishop and his contention that there are satanists in Rome is completely correct. Anybody who is acquainted with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachi-martin/archbishop-milingo-is-a-good-bishop-and-his-contention-that-there-are/) [Malachi Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachi-martin/) > [The future belongs to he who has the bishops.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegbert-tarrasch/the-future-belongs-to-he-who-has-the-bishops/) [Siegbert Tarrasch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegbert-tarrasch/) > [Inherent in the ordination to be bishop is both the right and the obligation to be directed by inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-k-packer/inherent-in-the-ordination-to-be-bishop-is-both-the-right-and-the/) [Boyd K. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-k-packer/) > [Our bishops storehouses are not intended to stock enough commodities to care for all the members of the Church. Storehouses are only established to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/our-bishops-storehouses-are-not-intended-to-stock-enough-commodities/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [The kids kept walking, moving through the Henley's halls like a tide, but when Kat turned to leave, she walked in the opposite directions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/the-kids-kept-walking-moving-through-the-henley-s-halls-like-a-tide/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [The Jackdaw sat in the Cardinal's chair! Bishop and Abbot and Prior were there, Many a monk and many a friar, Many a knight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-harris-barham/the-jackdaw-sat-in-the-cardinal-s-chair-bishop-and-abbot-and-prior/) [Richard Harris Barham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-harris-barham/) > [The first proof of charity in a priest, especially a bishop, is poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/the-first-proof-of-charity-in-a-priest-especially-a-bishop-is-poverty/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) [Browse all 323 Bishops quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bishops/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "While the Romans languished under the ignominious tyranny of eunuchs and bishops, the praises of Julian were repeated with transport in every part of the empire, except in the palace of Constantius.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Gibbon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/while-the-romans-languished-under-the-ignominious-tyranny-of-eunuchs/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bishops" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/while-the-romans-languished-under-the-ignominious-tyranny-of-eunuchs/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/edward-gibbon-710_bishops_while-the-romans-languished-under-the-ig_2352512.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/edward-gibbon-710_bishops_while-the-romans-languished-under-the-ig_2352512.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a8/edward-gibbon-710_bishops_while-the-romans-languished-under-the-ig_2352512.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“While the Romans languished under the ignominious tyranny of eunuchs and bishops, the praises of Julian were…” — Edward Gibbon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Edward Gibbon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "While the Romans languished under the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/while-the-romans-languished-under-the-ignominious-tyranny-of-eunuchs/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/while-the-romans-languished-under-the-ignominious-tyranny-of-eunuchs/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```