Decadence has been viewed as a precursor to the collapse of societies. It suggests moral and cultural decay. Furthermore it implies societal norms whose exaggeration leads to the decline of cultures and civilisations. Indulgence in pleasure or luxury, decadence is at the nexus between public and private, work and leisure, tradition and progress. The concept has also been seen as one of the pillars on which modernism was built, but what is its place, in a post-modern world? In this book, a diverse group of experts examine the concepts of decadence and decay across a wide spectrum, from ancient Rome to the present.  

Part 1: Decadence

Sexual Decadence Faramerz Dabhiowala

Decadence and Dandyism Melanie Grundmann

Luxury and Decadence Richard Whatmore

The naked dancer Adoreé Villany, Mattias Hessérus

Nietzsche on Décadence Andrew Huddleston

A Very Decadent Prince Saul David

Part 2: Decay

Material Wealt and Decadence Andrew Preston

Democracy and Decay Daniela Cammack

Political Decay Pernille Røge

From Broken Windows to Bulldozers Adam Tooze

Decay and Environmental History J.R. McNeill

Everything Rots Jonathan Rees

When Buildings Decay and Cities Decline Robert Beuregard

The Decay of Knowledge William O´Reilly

Information Loss Michael L. Nelson

Part 3: The Decline of Rome

Decline and Fall Peter Heather

Reflections of Decline Robert Coates-Stephans

Decline in Three Dimensions Neil McLynn

Crying Wolf Richard Miles