Machiavelli's Romans : liberty and greatness in the discourses on Livy

Although Machiavelli is usually considered a pioneer among modern political philosophers, he read deeply in and was greatly influenced by the works of classical Roman thinkers such as Livy. There is thus a fundamental tension between the modern and the ancient within Machiavelli's philosophy; he is both a precursor to the Enlightenment and a throwback to republican Rome. This is the main thesis behind Patrick Coby's innovative study of the neglected Machiavellian classic __Discourses on Livy.__ Coby argues that scholars have been too quick to dismiss the ancient antecedents of Machiavelli's thought, particularly with regard to the modes and orders of the Roman republic. The book seeks to resolve the central paradox of the __Discourses,__ that Machiavelli recommends adoption of Roman modes and orders even though those modes and orders destroyed the __virt?,__ the strength, which Machiavelli would have moderns resuscitate by imitating Rome. A sophisticated, highly engaging book, __Machiavelli's Romans__ will be of special interest to political theorists, Renaissance scholars, and classicists.

although Machiavelli Is Usually Considered A Pioneer Among Modern Political Philosophers, He Read Deeply In And Was Greatly Influenced By The Works Of Classical Roman Thinkers Such As Livy. There Is Thus A Fundamental Tension Between The Modern And The Ancient Within Machiavelli's Philosophy: He Is Both A Precursor To The Englightenment And A Throwback To Republican Rome.

This Is The Main Thesis Behind J. Patrick Coby's Innovative Study Of The Neglected Machiavellian Classic Discourses On Livy. Coby Argues That Scholars Have Been Too Quick To Dismiss The Ancient Antecedents Of Machiavelli's Thought, Particularly With Regard To The Modes And Orders Of The Roman Republic. The Book Seeks To Resolve The Central Paradox Of The Discourses, That Machiavelli Recommends Adoption Of Roman Modes And Orders, Even Though Those Modes And Orders Destroyed The Virtu, The Strength, That Machiavelli Would Have Moderns Resuscitate By Imitating Rome. A Sophisticated, Highly Engaging Book, Machiavelli's Romans Will Be Of Special Interest To Political Theorists, Renaissance Scholars, And Classicists.

anthony J. Parel - American Political Science Review

under Coby's Able Guidance The Reader Gets A Grand Tour Of Contemporary Machiavelli Scholarship And Interpretations. The Discussion Of Liberty And Greatness Is Especially Stimulating. . . . All In All, The Book Makes The Discourses Less Mysterious, More Intelligible, And More Exciting Than It Is Thought To Be.

Although Machiavelli is usually considered a pioneer among modern political philosophers, he read deeply in and was greatly influenced by the works of classical Roman thinkers such as Livy. There is thus a fundamental tension between the modern and the ancient within Machiavelli's philosophy; he is both a precursor to the Enlightenment and a throwback to republican Rome.This is the main thesis behind Patrick Coby's innovative study of the neglected Machiavellian classic Discourses on Livy. Coby argues that scholars have been too quick to dismiss the ancient antecedents of Machiavelli's thought, particularly with regard to the modes and orders of the Roman republic. The book seeks to resolve the central paradox of the Discourses, that Machiavelli recommends adoption of Roman modes and orders even though those modes and orders destroyed the virtu, the strength, which Machiavelli would have moderns resuscitate by imitating Rome. A sophisticated, highly engaging book, Machiavelli's Romans will be of special interest to political theorists, Renaissance scholars, and classicists. Title Page 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Table of Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 1 Introduction: Reading the Discourses 12 Part One: Rome 30 2 Why Rome? 32 3 Rome's "Inside" Modes and Orders 66 4 Rome's Humors 104 5 Rome's "Outside" Modes and Orders 124 6 Rome's Captains 160 Part Two: Machiavelli 204 7 Machiavelli's Modes and Orders 206 8 Machiavelli's Middle Ways 236 9 What Machiavelli Wants 260 Notes 296 Bibliography 358 Index 370 About the Author 378 A study of the Machiavellian classic "Discourses on Livy". Patrick Coby argues that scholars have been too quick to dismiss the ancient antecedents of Machiavelli's thought, particularly with regard to the modes and orders of the Roman republic.