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Often appears with: forms of government · counsel and advisers to rulers · conquest, plunder, and captives · diplomacy and embassies · empire and the rule of provinces · crime and punishment · conspiracy and assassination · political legitimacy and consent · religious persecution and toleration · justice as a virtue · fate, destiny, and necessity · faction, party, and civil strife
Usually: narrative (197) · detachment (186) · argument (113) · the fall of the great (75) · curiosity (47) · censure (45) · ambition and its cost (42) · indignation (36) · skepticism (36) · betrayal (33)
“To say that the constitution of England is a union of three powers reciprocally checking each other, is farcical, either the words have no meaning, or they are flat contradictions.” Thomas Paine, Common Sense · wit
“How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!” Thomas Paine, Common Sense · vivid
“and he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks and to be bakers (this describes the expence and luxury as well as the oppression of kings) and he will take your fields and your olive yards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants;” Thomas Paine, Common Sense · observation
“The whole history of England disowns the fact. Thirty kings and two minors have reigned in that distracted kingdom since the conquest, in which time there have been (including the Revolution) no less than eight civil wars and nineteen rebellions.” Thomas Paine, Common Sense · observation
“They put both the troops to flight; there were many thousands of the slain, and they continued fighting till night.” (Anglo-Saxon Chronicle; translator/editor) James Ingram, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle · observation
“No worse deed than this was ever done by the English nation since they first sought the land of Britain.” (Anglo-Saxon Chronicle; translator/editor) James Ingram, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle · observation
“For this he was loathed by nearly all his people, and odious to God, as his end testified:--for he departed in the midst of his unrighteousness, without any power of repentance or recompense for his deeds.” (Anglo-Saxon Chronicle; translator/editor) James Ingram, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle · insight
“During a long period of two hundred and twenty years from the establishment of this artful system to the death of Commodus, the dangers inherent to a military government were, in a great measure, suspended.” Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · insight
“There is not any thing capable of giving me more serious concern, than the intelligence contained in your last despatch; that some malicious suggestions have indisposed towards us the mind of our friend and parent Claudius. As you regard your allegiance, use every means to appease his resentment, but conduct your negotiation with secrecy; let it not reach the knowledge of the Dacian troops; they are already provoked, and it might inflame their fury.” Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · insight
“The ideas of inheritance and succession are so very familiar, that the generality of mankind consider them as founded not only in reason but in nature itself.” Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · insight
“He was well acquainted with the character and sentiments of Galerius, and sufficiently apprised, that if he wished to live he must determine to reign.” Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · insight
“The decent and even obstinate resistance which he chose to affect, was contrived to justify his usurpation;” Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · observation
Within Sura XXVII (“The Ant”), it narrates Moses’ encounter with God in fire, David and Solomon’s wisdom, Solomon’s command to summon legions, and the Queen of Sheba’s rejection of God and eventual submission.
2 Waquidy says the night-journey took place on the 17th of Rabhy' 1, a twelvemonth before the Hejira. 3 Of Jerusalem; and thence through the seven heavens to the throne of God on the back of Borak, accompanied by Gabriel, according to some traditions; while others, and those too of early date, regard it as no more than a vision. It was, however, in all probability a dream. Muir ii. 219; Nöld. p. 102, who give the Mu…
Sura XXXIII and its surrounding editorial notes emphasize Muhammad as the Apostle and seal of the prophets, commands remembrance and greetings, limits on the Prophet’s additional wives, and etiquette for entering his house.
to the prophet where God hath given him a permission. Such was the way of God with those prophets who flourished before thee; for God's behest is a fixed decree- Who fulfilled the mission with which God had charged them,19 and feared Him, and feared none but God. And God taketh a sufficient account. Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Apostle of God, and the seal of the prophets: and God …
Pepys notes a Kentish Knock during a voyage, hears that the King knighted Vice-admiral Lawson and Sir Richard Stayner, and records Prince Rupert’s arrival at court and early October court and church visits.
Kentish Knock, which put them in great fear for the ship; but got off well. He told me also how the King had knighted Vice-admiral Lawson and Sir Richard Stayner. 29th. This day or yesterday, I hear, Prince Rupert is come to Court; but welcome to nobody. [Son of Frederic, Prince Palatine of the Rhine, afterwards styled King of Bohemia, by Elizabeth, only sister to Charles I. Ob. 1682.] OCTOBER 2, 1660. At Will'…
On June 3, 1662, Pepys’s office receives Coventry’s appointment as commissioner of the Navy, he describes the Queen’s civil treatment by his wife’s party, and he reports major City honors despite their chamber’s poverty and need for raised fines.
JUNE 3, 1662. At the office, and Mr. Coventry brought his patent and took his place with us this morning. To the Wardrobe, where I found my lady come from Hampton Court, where the Queene hath used her very civilly; and my lady tells me is a most pretty woman. Yesterday (Sir R. Ford told me) the aldermen of the City did attend her in their habits, and did present her with a gold cupp and 1000l. in gold therein. But…
Pepys describes Court worries and finances, including fears of making the Duke a successor, discussions of Sandwich’s allowances, court favourites, factional danger, and violence among the nobility.
at it, and said he would be glad at any time to lose 50l. for the King to send for him to play, which I do not so well like. 15th. I walked in the Parke, discoursing with the keeper of the Pell Mell, who was sweeping of it; who told me of what the earth is mixed that do floor the Mall, and that over all there is cockle-shells powdered, and spread to keep it fast; which, however, in dry weather, turns to dust and de…
Pepys records the judges ruling the Chancellor’s articles not treason, describes the King and Queen’s public ride while Castlemaine and Stewart’s appearances are commented on, and later notes the Lords’ vote to investigate the matter.
21st. This day the Parliament kept a fast for the present unseasonable weather. 22nd. To my Lord Crewe's. My Lord not being come home, I met and staid below with Captn. Ferrers, who was come to wait upon my Lady Jemimah to St. James's, she being one of the four ladies that hold up the mantle at the christening this afternoon of the Duke's child (a boy). In discourse of the ladies at Court, Captn. Ferrers tells me…
Pepys notes the Duke of York’s return, the renewed Dutch ship preparations, a long conversation about the Duke’s Irish connections and advisers, and discussion of Dutch peace offers and the comet sightings.
a matter of some reputation to us it is, and blemish to them; but in no degree like what it is esteemed at, the weather requiring them to do so. 5th. Up, and to White Hall with Sir J. Minnes; and there, among an infinite crowd of great persons, did kiss the Duke's hand; but had no time to discourse. 6th. To the Old Exchange, and there hear that the Dutch are fitting their ships out again, which puts us to new dis…
Pepys learns the Great Seal has been taken from the Lord Chancellor and delivered to Sir Orlando Bridgeman, notes changes in high offices, and records Sir W. Coventry leaving the Duke of York’s service for the Treasury.
obedience to the King's commands; and that he did not think any man fit to serve a prince, that did not know how to retire and live a country life. 31st. At the office all the morning; where by Sir W. Pen I do hear that the Seal was fetched away to the King yesterday from the Lord Chancellor by Secretary Morrice; which puts me into a great horror. In the evening Mr. Ball of the Excise-office tells me that the Seal…
Pepys reports the Duke of York’s smallpox condition, describes preparations around the court, and records that a second impeachment article against the Chancellor may be carried to the Lords as Commons heat rises.
Frazier tells me that he is in as good condition as a man can be in his case. They appeared last night: it seems he was let blood on Friday. 11th. Sir G. Carteret and I towards the Temple in coach together; and there he did tell me how the King do all he can in the world to overthrow my Lord Chancellor, and that notice is taken of every man about the King that is not seen to promote the ruine of the Chancellor; and…
A parallel version repeats the opening: John confirms the freedom of English church elections (ratified by Pope Innocent III), grants liberties to freemen, and reiterates relief payments and inheritance rules for underage heirs.
Hubert de Burgh (seneschal of Poitou), Hugh de Neville, Matthew Fitz Herbert, Thomas Basset, Alan Basset, Philip d’Aubigny, Robert of Roppesley, John Marshall, John Fitz Hugh, and others, our liegemen. 1. In the first place we have granted to God, and by this our present charter confirmed for us and our heirs for ever that the English church shall be free, and shall have her rights entire, and her liberties inviolat…
The text provides genealogies of Esau/Edom, listing his wives, sons, tribal chiefs, and kings who reigned in Edom before kings reigned among Israel.
These are the generations of Esau which is called Edom. Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan Ada the daughter of Elon an Hethite, and Ahalibama the daughter of Ana, which Ana was the son of Zibeon an Hevite; And Basmath Ismael's daughter and sister of Nebaioth. And Ada bare unto Esau, Eliphas: and Basmath bare Reguel: And Ahalibama bare Ieus, Iaelam and Korah. These are the sons of Esau which were born him …
Tetrarch Herod, hearing reports about Jesus, has John the Baptist bound, imprisoned, and beheaded for Herodias; Jesus later travels to a desolate place, feeds multitudes, heals the sick, and walks on water.
The .xiiij. Chapter. In that time Herod the tetrarcha heard of the fame of Iesu, and said unto his servants: This is Ihon baptist, he is risen again from death, and therefore his power is so great. For Herod took Ihon and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for Ihon said unto him: it is not lawful for thee to have her. And when he would have put him to death, he feared the…
The senate orders the consul Aurelius to move from Etruria to Ariminum to relieve the colony and suppress the Gallic tumult; it also sends ambassadors to Carthage, Numidia (Masinissa), and later handles affairs involving Vermina and the status of kingly titles.
(for so many there were in arms); and by such a loss, on his side, to augment the courage of the enemy, already elated on having destroyed one Roman colony." 11. This letter having been read they decreed, that the consul Aurelius should order the army which he had appointed to assemble on a certain day in Etruria, to attend him on the same day at Ariminum; and should either go in person, if the public business would…
Carthage negotiates after Hamilcar’s punishment in Africa, sends wheat to Rome and Macedonia, and makes arrangements with Numidia; meanwhile Lentulus returns from Spain to request a triumph, granted instead an ovation.
he was met by couriers, with intelligence that the consul was already in Epirus, and had drawn his land forces to Apollonia, and his fleet to Corcyra, into winter quarters. 19. In the mean time, the ambassadors who had been sent into Africa, on the affair of Hamilcar, the leader of the Gallic army, received from the Carthaginians this answer: that "it was not in their power to do more than to inflict on him the puni…
Herzl campaigns in London and courts Kaiser Wilhelm II in Constantinople and Palestine, but German advisers delete core aims from the petition; Herzl’s hopes fade, and he refocuses on Ottoman diplomacy.
shares. After a great deal of effort, the minimum was finally obtained and the Trust was officially opened in time for the opening of the third Congress in August, 1899. Herzl addressed a mass meeting in London in October, 1899, under Dr. Gastner's chairmanship. In his address at this meeting, Herzl said that he believed the time was not far off when the Jewish people would be set in motion. He asked the audience to…
He challenges alarm about standing armies by surveying state constitutions, noting only two ban them, while the rest leave it to legislative discretion.
of peace; that the other eleven had either observed a profound silence on the subject, or had in express terms admitted the right of the Legislature to authorize their existence. Still, however he would be persuaded that there must be some plausible foundation for the cry raised on this head. He would never be able to imagine, while any source of information remained unexplored, that it was nothing more than an expe…
In concluding remarks to the people of New York, Hamilton claims the Constitution’s alleged defects mirror flaws in New York’s own charter, highlights union’s added safeguards (including anti-monarchy measures), and urges honest judgment.
To the People of the State of New York: According to the formal division of the subject of these papers, announced in my first number, there would appear still to remain for discussion two points: “the analogy of the proposed government to your own State constitution,” and “the additional security which its adoption will afford to republican government, to liberty, and to property.” But these heads have been so full…
He applies his definition to the Constitution, arguing that it matches republican standards through elections for the House, Senate, President, and good-behavior tenure for judges, and by banning titles of nobility.
as according to the most respectable and received opinions on the subject, the members of the judiciary department are to retain their offices by the firm tenure of good behavior. On comparing the Constitution planned by the convention with the standard here fixed, we perceive at once that it is, in the most rigid sense, conformable to it. The House of Representatives, like that of one branch at least of all the Sta…
In Federalist No. 62, Madison outlines Senate design for New York voters: senators must be older and longer citizens, chosen by state legislatures to link federal and state governments.
State governments such an agency in the formation of the federal government as must secure the authority of the former, and may form a convenient link between the two systems. III. The equality of representation in the Senate is another point, which, being evidently the result of compromise between the opposite pretensions of the large and the small States, does not call for much discussion. If indeed it be right, t…
Hamilton defends the executive design against anti-Constitution writers who portray the President as a would-be monarch, insisting such misrepresentations require an accurate view of the President’s real powers.
been attended with greater difficulty in the arrangement of it than this; and there is, perhaps, none which has been inveighed against with less candor or criticised with less judgment. Here the writers against the Constitution seem to have taken pains to signalize their talent of misrepresentation. Calculating upon the aversion of the people to monarchy, they have endeavored to enlist all their jealousies and appre…
The passage compares the proposed U.S. president to state governors and the British king, arguing a four-year, re-eligible term with impeachment liability is less dangerous than three-year state executive power or hereditary monarchy.
marked out in the plan of the convention. This will serve to place in a strong light the unfairness of the representations which have been made in regard to it. The first thing which strikes our attention is, that the executive authority, with few exceptions, is to be vested in a single magistrate. This will scarcely, however, be considered as a point upon which any comparison can be grounded; for if, in this partic…
Mercury (Hermes) is sent to Carthage, descends, and warns Aeneas that Jupiter commands him to abandon Dido and return to his fate of ruling the Latin land and restoring Rome’s imperial name.
Regardless to redeem his honour lost, And for his race to gain th’ Ausonian coast! Bid him with speed the Tyrian court forsake; With this command the slumb’ring warrior wake.” Hermes obeys; with golden pinions binds His flying feet, and mounts the western winds: And, whether o’er the seas or earth he flies, With rapid force they bear him down the skies. But first he grasps within his awful ha…
Latinus warns Turnus that no Italian-born prince should inherit and that past treaty-breaking caused the war, but Turnus refuses while Amata pleads to spare him and Lavinia reacts with visible emotion.
cause which hasten’d to his end The daughter’s lover and the father’s friend? Weigh in your mind the various chance of war; Pity your parent’s age, and ease his care.” Such balmy words he pour’d, but all in vain: The proffer’d med’cine but provok’d the pain. The wrathful youth, disdaining the relief, With intermitting sobs thus vents his grief: “The care, O best of fathers, which you take …
Sura XX (Ta-Ha) includes God’s call to Moses from the burning fire, instructions about shoes and worship, and introduces Moses’ staff miracle and mission to confront Pharaoh with signs and gentle speech.
Now, what is that in thy right hand, O Moses?" Said he, "It is my staff on which I lean, and with which I beast down leaves for my sheep, and I have other uses for it." He said, "Cast it down, O Moses!" So he cast it down, and lo! it became a serpent that ran along. He said, "Lay hold on it, and fear not: to its former state will we restore it." "Now place thy right hand to thy arm-pit: it shall come forth white…
This passage (Sura XIII “Thunder”) argues that God controls nature and judgment, rejects idol worship and mockery, and promises paradise to believers while threatening hell for unbelievers.
He it is who maketh the lightning to shine unto you; for fear and hope: and who bringeth up the laden clouds. And the THUNDER uttereth his praise, and the Angels also, for awe of Him: and he sendeth his bolts and smiteth with them whom he will2 while they are wrangling about God! Mighty is he in prowess. Prayer is His of right: but these deities to whom they pray beside Him give them no answer, otherwise than as he…
The passage continues divorce law (including payment/dowry adjustments before consummation), stresses regular and cautious prayer during danger, mandates a year of maintenance for widows, describes God restoring dead back to life, calls for lending to God, and recounts Israel’s demand for a king Saul (Talout) and the Ark.
And it is for the women to act as they (the husbands) act by them, in all fairness; but the men are a step above them. God is Mighty, Wise. Ye may divorce your wives twice: Keep them honourably, or put them away with kindness. But it is not allowed you to appropriate to yourselves aught of what ye have given to them, unless both fear that they cannot keep within the bounds90 set up by God. And if ye fear that they c…
Lincoln, taking the oath as President on March 4, 1861, reassures Southern states that a Republican administration will not threaten slavery, property, or personal security, citing his prior statements and a platform pledge to protect state rights.
Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address March 4, 1861 Fellow citizens of the United States: in compliance with a custom as old as the government itself, I appear before you to address you briefly and to take, in your presence, the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States, to be taken by the President “before he enters on the execution of his office.” I do not consider it necessary, at present, for me to …
McKinley and other officials praise Tuskegee’s educational experiment during speeches in the new chapel, including tributes to Washington’s perseverance and an image of the “coloured President of the Tuskegee” on a platform.
In his address in our large, new chapel, which the students had recently completed, the President said, among other things:— To meet you under such pleasant auspices and to have the opportunity of a personal observation of your work is indeed most gratifying. The Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute is ideal in its conception, and has already a large and growing reputation in the country, and is not unknown abro…
Paine attacks the English constitution as a complicated mix of hereditary monarchy, aristocratic peerage, and commons, claiming none truly serve freedom because hereditary powers cannot be trusted or checked consistently.
Thirdly.--The new republican materials, in the persons of the commons, on whose virtue depends the freedom of England. The two first, by being hereditary, are independent of the people; wherefore in a constitutional sense they contribute nothing towards the freedom of the state. To say that the constitution of England is a union of three powers reciprocally checking each other, is farcical, either the words have n…
Paine presents monarchy and hereditary succession as unnatural distinctions that create war and idolatry, arguing that scripture and biblical history show resistance to kingship and that monarchy is like worshipping a decaying worm.
doing the same to their living ones. How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust! As the exalting one man so greatly above the rest cannot be justified on the equal rights of nature, so neither can it be defended on the authority of scripture; for the will of the Almighty, as declared by Gideon and the prophet Samuel, expressly disapproves of …
He recounts Israel’s requests for a king under Gideon’s refusal and Samuel’s warning, quoting Samuel’s description of how kings impose taxes and oppress, then concludes that monarchy’s origin invites lasting corruption.
doth he compliment them with invented declarations of his thanks, but in the positive stile of a prophet charges them with disaffection to their proper Sovereign, the King of heaven. About one hundred and thirty years after this, they fell again into the same error. The hankering which the Jews had for the idolatrous customs of the Heathens, is something exceedingly unaccountable; but so it was, that laying hold of …
He insists William the Conqueror’s claim is dishonorable and explains kingship’s supposed roots as lot, election, or usurpation, then argues hereditary rule is corrupt because nature rejects it and it makes rulers ignorant and insolent.
to favor hereditary pretensions; by which means it happened, as it hath happened since, that what at first was submitted to as a convenience, was afterwards claimed as a right. England, since the conquest, hath known some few good monarchs, but groaned beneath a much larger number of bad ones; yet no man in his senses can say that their claim under William the Conqueror is a very honorable one. A French bastard land…
Paine attacks the claim that hereditary succession prevents civil war, citing England’s many kings, civil wars, and rebellions since the conquest, and argues monarchy leads to bloodshed and leaves England’s crown with excessive influence.
the last stage of human weakness. In both these cases the public becomes a prey to every miscreant, who can tamper successfully with the follies either of age or infancy. The most plausible plea, which hath ever been offered in favour of hereditary succession, is, that it preserves a nation from civil wars; and were this true, it would be weighty; whereas, it is the most barefaced falsity ever imposed upon mankind. …
After Romulus’s last battle, he becomes more kingly and less popular, adopting scarlet regalia and lictors, while political tensions grow under his growing royal power.
to it, and the crier cries, Sardians to be sold; for the Tuscans are said to be a colony of the Sardians, and the Veientes are a city of Tuscany. This was the last battle Romulus ever fought; afterwards he, as most, nay all men, very few excepted, do, who are raised by great and miraculous good-haps of fortune to power and greatness, so, I say, did he; relying upon his own great actions, and growing of an haughtier …
Plutarch explains how Romulus’s policies toward the Albans and soldiers promoted a more anti-monarchical spirit, then describes Romulus’s disappearance on the Nones of July and disputed theories of his death.
litores, afterwards, by putting in a c, lictores, or, in Greek, liturgi, or people's officers, for leitos is still Greek for the commons, and laos for the people in general. But when, after the death of his grandfather Numitor in Alba, the throne devolving upon Romulus, he, to court the people, put the government into their own hands, and appointed an annual magistrate over the Albans, this taught the great men of R…
Plutarch describes Lycurgus’s return to Sparta and reforms: consultation of Apollo at Delphi, recruitment of Spartan leaders, armed preparations, Charilaus’s sanctuary at the Minerva temple, and Lycurgus’s institutional start.
a genius to gain obedience. Nor were the kings themselves averse to see him back, for they looked upon his presence as a bulwark against the insolencies of the people. Things being in this posture at his return, he applied himself, without loss of time, to a thorough reformation and resolved to change the whole face of the commonwealth; for what could a few particular laws and a partial alteration avail? He must ac…
Solon defends refusing monarchy in principle, sets out his method of governing with force and justice, introduces Seisacthea debt cancellation and currency measures, and recounts how trusted allies exploited him.
friends, that it was true a tyranny was a very fair spot, but it had no way down from it; and in a copy of verses to Phocus he writes.-- --that I spared my land, And withheld from usurpation and from violence my hand, And forbore to fix a stain and a disgrace on my good name, I regret not; I believe that it will be my chiefest fame. From which it is manifest that he was a man of great reputation before he gave his …
In Sparta, Alcibiades wins admiration by adopting Spartan frugality while shifting styles across cultures, then bears Leotychides through Agis’s wife Timaea, with succession later blocked by Agis’s absence.
Athenians at home. But the third thing, and the most important of all, was to make them fortify Decelea, which above everything reduced and wasted the resources of the Athenians. The renown which he earned by these public services was equaled by the admiration he attracted to his private life; he captivated and won over everybody by his conformity to Spartan habits. People who saw him wearing his hair close cut, ba…
After a landing, Pyrrhus is brought to Glaucias of the Illyrians, who spares him despite Cassander’s pressure, later making Pyrrhus king of Epirus at age twelve.
so fell out, that he who first got ashore, and took Pyrrhus in his arms, was named Achilles, the rest being helped over by others as they came to hand. Thus being safe, and out of the reach of pursuit, they addressed themselves to Glaucias, then king of the Illyrians, and finding him sitting at home with his wife, they laid down the child before them. The king began to weigh the matter, fearing Cassander, who was a …
After victories and being called an “eagle,” Pyrrhus threatens Macedonia, Demetrius retreats to treat for peace, other kings manipulate events, and Pyrrhus gains the Macedonian throne without fighting.
So unsocial and wild-beast-like is the nature of ambition and cupidity. After this battle Pyrrhus, returning gloriously home, enjoyed his fame and reputation, and being called "Eagle" by the Epirots, "By you," said he, "I am an eagle; for how should I not be such, while I have your arms as wings to sustain me?" A little after, having intelligence that Demetrius was dangerously sick, he entered on a sudden into Mace…
An oracle about “an halting sovereignty” is reinterpreted by Lysander so Agesilaus—despite lameness—is made king, and Lysander pushes him to campaign in Asia while Lysander is sidelined by royal jealousy.
in the support of Lysander, was, on the other hand, prejudiced by Diopithes, a man famous for his knowledge of oracles, who adduced this prophecy in reference to Agesilaus's lameness: Beware, great Sparta, lest there come of thee, Though sound thyself, an halting sovereignty; Troubles, both long and unexpected too, And storms of deadly warfare shall ensue. When many, therefore, yielded to the oracle, and inclined t…
Agesilaus repeatedly blocks Lysander’s friends and humiliates him at court (casting him as a mere carver), prompting a brief dialogue; Lysander then works for constitutional change in Sparta’s kingship.
he perceived him exerting his interest, these persons he always sent away with a refusal, and with less attention than any ordinary suitors, thus silently undoing and weakening his influence. Lysander, miscarrying in everything, and perceiving that his diligence for his friends was but a hindrance to them, forbore to help them, entreating them that they would not address themselves to, nor observe him, but that they…
Plutarch narrates Cimon’s lifelong pro-Spartan leanings, the role of Sparta in his early rise, the political fallout with Athens, and the earthquake at Sparta—leading to Cimon’s eventual banishment.
certainly if he had been sober and minded his business, there had been no Grecian commander, either before or after him, that could have surpassed him for exploits of war. He was, indeed, a favorer of the Lacedaemonians even from his youth, and he gave the names of Lacedaemonius and Eleus to two sons, twins, whom he had, as Stesimbrotus says, by a woman of Clitorium, whence Pericles often upbraided them with their m…
Agesilaus’ character is described—obedient yet high-spirited, bearing a lameness with cheerfulness—and his rise is tied to the Spartans’ dispute over King Agis’s successor, Leotychides’ alleged bastardy.
nothing on compulsion, upon ingenuous motives he would obey any commands, and was more hurt by the least rebuke or disgrace, than he was distressed by any toil or hardship. He had one leg shorter than the other, but this deformity was little observed in the general beauty of his person in youth. And the easy way in which he bore it, (he being the first always to pass a jest upon himself,) went far to make it disreg…
After Agesilaus is declared king, he rejects Leotychides and distributes part of Agis’s estate to poor maternal relatives, then uses polite cooperation with the Ephors and Elders to expand kings’ power.
by Neptune, who threw Agis out of bed by a violent earthquake, after which time he ceased to visit his wife, yet Leotychides was born above ten months after this. Agesilaus was upon these allegations declared king, and soon possessed himself of the private estate of Agis, as well as his throne, Leotychides being wholly rejected as a bastard. He now turned his attention to his kindred by the mother's side, persons o…
Plutarch describes Agesilaus returning to Sparta unchanged in habits, emphasizing his continued respect for Spartan customs and the modest status of his household.
his two daughters to have been called Eupolia and Prolyta. And you may also to this day see Agesilaus's spear kept in Sparta, nothing differing from that of other men. There was a vanity he observed among the Spartans, about keeping running horses for the Olympic games, upon which he found they much valued themselves. Agesilaus regarded it as a display not of any real virtue, but of wealth and expense; and to make …
During Lupercalia at Rome, Caesar is offered a laurel diadem, refuses it, then has statues later found with royal diadems; tribunes Flavius and Marullus remove them, provoking Caesar’s retaliation and escalating tensions toward monarchy.
Cornelius Balbus, one of his friends, or rather flatterers, hindered him. "Will you not remember," said he, "you are Caesar, and claim the honor which is due to your merit?" He gave a fresh occasion of resentment by his affront to the tribunes. The Lupercalia were then celebrated, a feast at the first institution belonging, as some writers say, to the shepherds, and having some connection with the Arcadian Lycaea. …
Plutarch recounts Agis and Leonidas/Cleomenes genealogies in Sparta and characterizes Leonidas as Persian-influenced and ill suited, while praising Agis for renouncing luxury to restore ancient laws.
being delivered of a son, Leonidas, son of the above-named Cleonymus, was made his guardian, and as the young king died before becoming a man, he succeeded in the kingdom. Leonidas was a king not particularly suitable to his people. For though there were at that time at Sparta a general decline in manners, yet a greater revolt from the old habits appeared in him than in others. For having lived a long time among th…
Plutarch praises Cleomenes’s austere personal kingship—simple meals, minimal ceremony, personal conversation—and contrasts it with luxurious kingship to explain why elites and ambassadors joined him.
giving them lessons, or, at leisure times, diverting themselves with their native jests, and quick Laconian answers; the good results of which we have noticed in the life of Lycurgus. He himself instructed all by his example; he was a living pattern of temperance before every man's eyes; and his course of living was neither more stately, nor more expensive, nor in any way more pretentious, than that of any of his pe…
Plutarch describes Demetrius Poliorcetes’ beauty and character, his easy luxury as well as violent energy in action, praises his affection for his parents, and argues that power is usually jealous and suspicious of heirs.
the son of Antigonus, but of his brother; and that his own father dying young, and his mother being afterwards married to Antigonus, he was accounted to be his son. Demetrius had not the height of his father Antigonus, though he was a tall man. But his countenance was one of such singular beauty and expression, that no painter or sculptor ever produced a good likeness of him. It combined grace and strength, dignit…
Demetrius takes Munychia, enters Athens, restores the ancient constitution after fifteen years, and wins public honor that offends Athenians, including royal titles for Antigonus and Demetrius.
to Stilpo, on taking leave of him, said, "I leave your city, Stilpo, a city of freemen," "certainly," replied Stilpo, "there is not one serving man left among us all." Returning from Megara, he sat down before the citadel of Munychia, which in a few days he took by assault, and caused the fortifications to be demolished; and thus having accomplished his design, upon the request and invitation of the Athenians he mad…
After Demetrius’ victory, kingship titles spread to Antigonus and Demetrius and to other successor rulers, and the text links the rise of pomp and harsher punishments to a single change in tone.
thousand eight hundred prisoners." "Welcome, Aristodemus," replied Antigonus, "but, as you chose to torture us so long for your good news, you may wait awhile for the reward of it." Upon this the people around gave Antigonus and Demetrius, for the first time, the title of kings. His friends at once set a diadem on the head of Antigonus; and he sent one presently to his son, with a letter addressed to him as King De…
A royal league recalling Demetrius for war against Antigonus leads to massive armies and omens; Antigonus appoints Demetrius as successor, and the battle unfolds with Demetrius’s cavalry pursuit costing him the day and ending with Antigonus’s death.
contested, saying the young man's desire might have been satisfied with the dream, but Thonis's desire for the money could not be relieved by the shadow. Thus much for Lamia. And now the story passes from the comic to the tragic stage in pursuit of the acts and fortunes of its subject. A general league of the kings, who were now gathering and combining their forces to attack Antigonus, recalled Demetrius from Greec…
Timagoras, bribed, is condemned to death by the Athenians, while Artaxerxes executes the hated Tisaphernes, reconciles with his mother Parysatis, and through her influence marries Atossa and honours her even when she has leprosy.
also, he sent him a bed, furniture, and servants for it, the Grecians not having skill enough to make it, as also chairmen to carry him, being infirm in body, to the seaside. Not to mention the feast made for him at court, which was so princely and splendid that Ostanes, the king's brother, said to him, "O, Timagoras, do not forget the sumptuous table you have sat at here; it was not put before you for nothing;" whic…
Ochus expects to rule through Atossa, but plots against rivals Ariaspes and Arsames, drives Ariaspes to suicide with threatening messages, and has Arsames killed—then Artaxerxes dies after a reign of sixty-two years.
For indeed Ariaspes was already claimed as their prince by the wishes of the Persians, not because he was the elder brother, but because he excelled Ochus in gentleness, plain-dealing, and good-nature; and on the other hand Arsames appeared, by his wisdom, fitted for the throne, and that he was dear to his father, Ochus well knew. So he laid snares for them both, and being no less treacherous than bloody, he made use…
He argues that while government subsists the legislative is supreme, but where the executive is a single person sharing legislation, he may be called supreme in execution so long as obedience remains according to law.
execution, where they are transgressed, the legislative must needs be the supreme, and all other powers, in any members or parts of the society, derived from and subordinate to it. Sect. 151. In some commonwealths, where the legislative is not always in being, and the executive is vested in a single person, who has also a share in the legislative; there that single person in a very tolerable sense may also be called…
Before Baldwin’s coronation, Boniface marries Isaac’s widow, then Baldwin crowns at St Sophia in 1204; afterward he grants Boniface the kingdom of Salonika in exchange for lands across the straits, as Mourzuphles moves after only days.
BONIFACE WEDS ISAAC’S WIDOW, AND AFTER BALDWIN’S CORONATION OBTAINS THE KINGDOM OF SALONIKA Before the time appointed for the coronation, the Marquis Boniface of Montferrat espoused the empress who had been the wife of the Emperor Isaac, and was sister to the King of Hungary. And within that time also did one of the most noble barons of the host, who bore the name of Odo of Champlitte of Champagne, make an end and d…
Drawing an anecdote from Dr. Franklin, Paine tells of a Norman projector offering to be king after America dismissed its king, then uses it to mock Burke’s Norman-based succession argument.
I proceed to consider other parts of the French Constitution, and by way of relieving the fatigue of argument, I will introduce an anecdote which I had from Dr. Franklin. While the Doctor resided in France as Minister from America, during the war, he had numerous proposals made to him by projectors of every country and of every kind, who wished to go to the land that floweth with milk and honey, America; and among t…
In Chapter II, Paine traces old governments to moral violations and robbery, saying monarchy began from Norman conquest and bandit rule, that the systems persist through war and extortion, and that the remedy is to begin anew.
It is impossible that such governments as have hitherto existed in the world, could have commenced by any other means than a total violation of every principle sacred and moral. The obscurity in which the origin of all the present old governments is buried, implies the iniquity and disgrace with which they began. The origin of the present government of America and France will ever be remembered, because it is honoura…
Paine contrasts “old” hereditary government with “new” representative government, addressing Abbé Sieyès and arguing hereditary succession is illegitimate and inherently tyrannical because it treats people as inheritable property.
Nothing can appear more contradictory than the principles on which the old governments began, and the condition to which society, civilisation and commerce are capable of carrying mankind. Government, on the old system, is an assumption of power, for the aggrandisement of itself; on the new, a delegation of power for the common benefit of society. The former supports itself by keeping up a system of war; the latter p…