Machiavelli's Three Romes : Religion, Human Liberty, and Politics Reformed

Vickie B. Sullivan

ISBN 10: 0875802133 / ISBN 13: 9780875802138

Published by Cornell University Press Aug 1996, 1996

About this Item

Neuware - Machiavelli's ambiguous treatment of religion has fueled a contentios and long-standing debate among scholars. Whereas some insist that Machiavelli is a Christian, others maintain he is a pagan. Sullivan mediates between these divergent views by arguing that he is neither but that he utilizes elements of both understandings arrayed in a wholly new way. She develops her argument by distinguishing among the three Romes that can be understood as existing in Machiavelli's political thought: the first is the Rome of the Christian era, dominated by the pope; the second is the republican Rome of pagan times, which Machiavelli praises; and the third is an idealized Rome that is neither entirely pagan nor entirely Christian. Sullivan draws primarily from the Florentine Histories, The Prince, and the Discourses to offer a unique study of Machiavelli's political thought. Her examination of Machiavelli's three Romes will engage readers concerned with political thought, philosophy of the state, and Machiavelli.

Seller Inventory # 9780875802138

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Machiavelli's Three Romes : Religion, Human Liberty, and Politics Reformed
• Publisher: Cornell University Press Aug 1996
• Publication Date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0875802133
• ISBN 13: 9780875802138
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 225W x 148H x 23D millimeters 225 millimeters width by 148 millimeters height by 23 millimeters depth
• Weight: 510 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Machiavelli's ambiguous treatment of religion has fueled a contentios and long-standing debate among scholars. Whereas some insist that Machiavelli is a Christian, others maintain he is a pagan. Sullivan mediates between these divergent views by arguing that he is neither but that he utilizes elements of both understandings arrayed in a wholly new way. She develops her argument by distinguishing among the three Romes that can be understood as existing in Machiavelli's political thought: the first is the Rome of the Christian era, dominated by the pope; the second is the republican Rome of pagan times, which Machiavelli praises; and the third is an idealized Rome that is neither entirely pagan nor entirely Christian.
Sullivan draws primarily from the Florentine Histories, The Prince, and the Discourses to offer a unique study of Machiavelli's political thought. Her examination of Machiavelli's three Romes will engage readers concerned with political thought, philosophy of the state, and Machiavelli.

About the Author

Vickie B. Sullivan is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Tufts University.