The Defensor Pacis of Marsiglio of Padua: A Critical Study (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Ephraim Emerton

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0364055200 ISBN 13: 9780364055205

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Marsiglio and the Defensor Pacis: a fresh, accessible map of medieval political thought

This critical study places Marsiglio of Padua in the arc of Aquinas and Dante, showing how his ideas helped shape later debates on church and state, law, and authority. It also explains why Marsiglio’s bold claims were controversial in his own time and why they matter for understanding European political development.

This edition frames the Defensor Pacis as a turning point in medieval theory. It traces how Marsiglio’s arguments challenged papal supremacy and supported a stronger imperial or civil authority. The analysis connects these ideas to the broader currents of the era, including the later reforms and the rise of national sovereignty, and it clarifies how Marsiglio influenced thinkers like Wycliffe and beyond. It also examines Marsiglio’s method, his use of legal and philosophical terminology, and the historical context that shaped his thinking.

• Learn how Marsiglio redefined dominium, property, and the reach of civil authority in relation to church power.
• See how his critique of clerical wealth and poverty fed into debates about apostolic poverty and reform movements.
• Understand the link between his work and later legal and political developments, including imperial rights and national sovereignty.
• Explore how Emerton situates Marsiglio against Aquinas, Dante, and their successors to illuminate a pivotal medieval debate.

Ideal for readers of political theory, medieval philosophy, and church–state history who want a clear, evidence-based guide to one of the era’s most influential voices.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0364055200
• ISBN 13: 9780364055205
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 87