The Greek Tradition in Republican Thought [Paperback]

A substantial revision of standard narratives of the trajectory of republican political theory.The Greek Tradition in Republican Thought traces the influence of ancient Greek sources on the development of republican theory in Europe and America. It argues that an important tradition of republican thought, derived from the central texts of Greek moral and political philosophy, emerged in sixteenth century England, and contributed significantly to the ideological framework both of the English Civil Wars and the American Founding. Dr Nelson offers significant reinterpretations of several central texts of European political theory, as well as a radical reappraisal of ancient Roman historiography.The Greek Tradition in Republican Thought traces the influence of ancient Greek sources on the development of republican theory in Europe and America. It argues that an important tradition of republican thought, derived from the central texts of Greek moral and political philosophy, emerged in sixteenth century England, and contributed significantly to the ideological framework both of the English Civil Wars and the American Founding. Dr Nelson offers significant reinterpretations of several central texts of European political theory, as well as a radical reappraisal of ancient Roman historiography.Tracing the influence of ancient Greek sources on the development of republican theory in Europe and America, this book argues that an important tradition of republican thought, derived from the central texts of Greek moral and political philosophy, emerged in sixteenth century England. It contributed significantly to the ideological framework of the English Civil Wars and the American Revolution. Eric Nelson offers significant reinterpretations of several central texts of European political theory, as well as a radical reappraisal of ancient Roman historiography.Acknowledgements; Note on conventions; Introduction; 1. Greek nonsense in More's Utopia; 2. The Roman agrarian laws and l½