Roman Political Thought and the Modern Theoretical Imagination (Volume 34) (Oklahoma Series in Classical Culture)

__Links modern political theorists with the Romans who inspired them__ Roman contributions to political theory have been acknowledged primarily in the province of law and administration. Even with a growing interest among classicists in Roman political thought, most political theorists view it as merely derivative of Greek philosophy. Focusing on the works of key Roman thinkers, Dean Hammer recasts the legacy of their political thought, examining their imaginative vision of a vulnerable political world and the relationship of the individual to this realm. By bringing modern political theorists into conversation with the Romans who inspired them—Arendt with Cicero, Machiavelli with Livy, Montesquieu with Tacitus, Foucault with Seneca—the author shows how both ancient Roman and modern European thinkers seek to recover an attachment to the political world that we actually inhabit, rather than to a utopia—a “perfect nowhere” outside of the existing order. Brimming with fresh interpretations of both ancient and modern theorists, this book offers provocative reading for classicists, political scientists, and anyone interested in political theory and philosophy. It is also a timely meditation on the hidden ways in which democracy can give way to despotism when the animating spirit of politics succumbs to resignation, cynicism, and fear. "Roman contributions to political theory have been acknowledged primarily in the province of law and administration. Even with a growing interest among classicists in Roman political thought, most political theorists view it as merely derivative of Greek philosophy." "Focusing on the works of key Roman thinkers, Dean Hammer recasts the legacy of their political thought, examining their imaginative vision of a vulnerable political world and the relationship of the individual to this realm. By bringing modern political theorists into conversation with the Romans who inspired them - Arendt with Cicero, Machiavelli with Livy, Montesquieu with Tacitus, Foucault with Seneca - the author shows how both ancient Roman and modern European thinkers seek to recover an attachment to the political world that we actually inhabit, rather than to a utopia - a "perfect nowhere" outside of the existing order." "Brimming with fresh interpretations of both ancient and modern theorists, this book offers provocative reading for classicists, political scientists, and anyone interested in political theory and philosophy. It is also a timely meditation on the hidden ways in which democracy can give way to despotism when the animating spirit of politics succumbs to resignation, cynicism, and fear."--Jacket Front 1 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Abbreviations 12 Introduction 18 The Romans in Political Thought 28 Cicero, Arendt, and the Cultivation of the Political World 53 Livy, Machiavelli, and the Recovery of Felt Meanings 93 Tacitus, Montesquieu, and the Malady of Despotism 147 Seneca and Foucault 195 Epilogue 238 Notes 244 Bibliography 298 Index of Classical Sources Cited 354 General Index 366 Content: The Romans in political thought -- Cicero, Arendt, and the cultivation of the political world : reading the Tusculan disputations politically -- Livy, Machiavelli, and the recovery of felt meanings -- Tacitus, Montesquieu, and the malady of despotism -- Seneca and Foucault : restoring the jurisdiction of the political.