That all existing things are subject to decay and change is a truth that scarcely needs proof; for the course of nature is sufficient to force this conviction on us. Continue reading “Polybius on the decay of states”
Polybius on the decay of states
The constitution of Carthage & The superiority of the Roman commonwealth
The constitution of Carthage seems to me to have been originally well contrived as regards its most distinctive points. Continue reading “The constitution of Carthage & The superiority of the Roman commonwealth”
Polybius’ criticism on the constitution of Sparta
To me it seems that as far as regards the maintenance of concord among the citizens, the security of the Laconian territory and the preservation of the freedom of Sparta, the legislation of Lycurgus and the foresight he exhibited were so admirable that one is forced to regard his institutions as of divine rather than human origin. Continue reading “Polybius’ criticism on the constitution of Sparta”
Polybius’ criticism on the Cretan constitution
To pass to the constitution of Crete, two points here demand our attention. Continue reading “Polybius’ criticism on the Cretan constitution”
The Roman Constitution
The three kinds of government that I spoke of above all shared in the control of the Roman state. Continue reading “The Roman Constitution”
The constitution of Lycurgus
Lycurgus had perfectly well understood that all the above changes take place necessarily and naturally, and had taken into consideration that every variety of constitution which is simple and formed on one principle is precarious, as it is soon perverted into the corrupt form which is proper to it and naturally follows on it. Continue reading “The constitution of Lycurgus”
The cycle of political revolution – Polybius’ timeless political thinking
In the case of those Greek states which have often risen to greatness and have often experienced a complete change of fortune, it is an easy matter both to describe their past and to pronounce as to their future. Continue reading “The cycle of political revolution – Polybius’ timeless political thinking”
Pindar’s timeless political messages
Here we present and analyze two excerpts from Pindar, the lyric poet. Continue reading “Pindar’s timeless political messages”
Creation of a new political elite in the Eastern Roman (‘Byzantine’) World through a process of political marriages – A high-point of ‘Byzantine’ diplomacy
Even though the fall of Constantinople to the Fourth Crusade in April 1204 marked a turning point in the history of Southeastern Europe and the entire Eastern Mediterranean world, changing—often radically—the political, cultural, religious, economic and social circumstances in this vast region, a wave of changes beginning exactly one century before this significant event had already transformed the political system in Southeastern Europe, that is, in the Byzantine Empire᾽s European hinterland. Continue reading “Creation of a new political elite in the Eastern Roman (‘Byzantine’) World through a process of political marriages – A high-point of ‘Byzantine’ diplomacy”
