
Courage, Caution, and the Weight of Chance
An examination of Book Seven of Herodotus’ Histories in which Xerxes and Artabanus discuss whether caution or daring is necessary in human affairs. Read Article
An examination of Book Seven of Herodotus’ Histories in which Xerxes and Artabanus discuss whether caution or daring is necessary in human affairs. Read Article
Herodotus show the rudiments of Greek political thought in the concrete circumstance of a discussion about possible regimes for Persia. Read Article
Bastille Day is not a celebration of liberty, fraternity, and equality, but of man's inhumanity to man. Modern society is still suffering the consequences of embracing the French Revolution's absolute freedom. Read Article
Herodotus named two main purposes to his work of history, and both of these purposes have everything to do with finding the true causes of human actions. Read Article
Renaissance Humanism is characterized by a return to the ideas of antiquity. But this generalization is misleading since it does not say whether the return is to Greek or Roman ideas. Read Article
Agricola was a general in the Roman frontier in Britain who gained fame through his prudent and just character. We remember Agricola especially because he won renown at a time in the Roman empire when the emperors were particularly cruel and prone to jealousy. Read Article
Tocquville outlines the various advantages and disadvantages of a democratic government in Democracy in America. An advantage is the ability for the people to participate in government, and a disadvantage is the possibility of the tyranny of the majority. Read Article
An examination of the significance of early American townships in the development of democracy within the American polis. At the root of Tocqueville’s discussion is the principle of the sovereignty of the people, and how this sovereignty firmly takes place within the local townships of the colonies and spreads out into the state. Read Article
An examination of the "point of departure" for American democracy according to Alexis De Tocqueville. This departure is paramount to his overall examination of the American spirit, particularly the relationship between liberty and equality and the relationship of religion to the advancement of democracy's central tenants and principles. Read Article
Early Christian martyrs, especially the Desert Fathers, were revered in much the same way as pagan heros. They serve as examplars for struggling Christians to imitate. Read Article
The need to dominate nature is a corruption of the desire to know. It stems from the desire to see the effects of all our knowledge in action, whether harmful or beneficial. Read Article
Although monasticism of the Medieval Ages encouraged the formation of schools and the preservation of learning, still their primary aim was the contemplative life. Read Article
Petronius gives a comedic account of the fictional extravagant dinner hosted by Trimalchio, who has more money than taste or sense. Read Article
The Lives of the Saints describes the lives of the heroes of the Christian West. Therefore, they serve as a pedagogical example of how a man ought to live. Read Article
Before his death, Emperor Augustus wrote Res Gestae, an autobiographical note about his life and works which gives insight into his mind and self-perception. Read Article
During the Renaissance, Humanism became a battle cry against Scholasticism. However, the two schools of thought have much in common. Read Article
Tiberius was chosen heir to the Roman Empire by Augustus. Yet, it seems, he had little desire to rule. Instead, he prefered isolation and debauchary. Read Article
In his fifth discourse of The Idea of a University, Newman explores what a university is, its use, and its proper end. Read Article
Saint Francis founded a religious order that sought to engage the world through love and humility, an alternative to the isolation of the monastics. Read Article
Cola di Rienzo was a Italian leader who attempted, but failed, to unite Italy in the 14th century. Read Article
Eusebius presents the conversion of Constantine as one of divine providence. But perhaps the conversion was a political conversion of convenience? Read Article
The Carthusian Monks saw themselves as warriors every bit as effective as medieval knights and soldiers, fighting not a physical war, but a spiritual one. Read Article
The Book of the Courtier investigates the philosophic purpose of government, and attempts to answer the question of what makes a government good or bad. Read Article
Leonaro Bruni understood a republic to be guided by virtue, for virtue is absolutely necessary for good ruling and good citizenship. Read Article
Procopius' Secret History of the rule of Justinian is filled with wild embellishments which may undermine the authority of his other more serious works. Read Article
The conversion of Constantine permanently altered the Roman attitude towards Christianity. No longer clandenstine, Christianity began to flourish in the West. Read Article