In a letter written to Giovanni Colonna in 1337 or 1341—scholars are uncertain of the precise date—Petrarch says as follows:
Continue readingNowhere Is Rome Less Known Than At Rome
moral corruption
Michael Bonner’s “Defense Of Civilization”: Review And Commentary
It is an unhappy commentary on the state of societal affairs when a scholar is compelled to remind readers of civilization’s benefits. Have things become so bad that we need to lay out arguments in favor of order, discipline, and our cultural patrimony? Is what was believed to be self-evident for centuries, now not self-evident at all? Are there really people who believe that a crass descent into barbarism and anarchy are preferable? The unsettling answer to these three questions is, unfortunately, yes. And this is the starting point of Michael R. J. Bonner’s stimulating and wonderfully researched new book, Defense of Civilization. The book is not currently available, but will be released soon.
Continue readingThe Moral Corruption Of The Elites
The military historian Polyaenus, in his Stratagems of War (II.17), relates the following anecdote. There was once a man named Dinias, the son of Telesippus, who lived in the city of Cranon, which is located in the region of Thessaly in Greece. He was originally from the town of Pheraea. He was a poor man, we are told, and earned his living by hunting and fishing in the countryside near the city.
Continue readingBad Character Will Inevitably Bring Consequences
The historian Ammianus, in describing the brief career of the usurper Procopius (326–366 A.D.), comments on the moral corruption inevitably caused by the abuse of power and privilege. It will have a familiar ring to those accustomed to the practices of contemporary politics:
Quintus Curtius 
You must be logged in to post a comment.