Medieval Political Theory: A Reader by Kate Langdon Forhan Cary Joseph Nederman

Author:Kate Langdon Forhan, Cary Joseph Nederman [Kate Langdon Forhan, Cary Joseph Nederman]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
ISBN: 9781136123566
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Published: 2013-07-23T04:00:00+00:00

8

‘ON CIVIL GOVERNMENT’

Giles of Rome

INTRODUCTION

Giles of Rome (1247–1316), sometimes referred to by a Latinized version of his name, Egidius Colonna, was born at Columna, Italy into a powerful noble family. He entered the Augustinian order in Rome, where he sufficiently impressed his superiors to be sent to Paris to complete his studies. The University of Paris was flourishing, and Giles was the first member of his order to study for the doctorate, where his most famous teacher was the Dominican, Thomas Aquinas. Soon after completing his studies, Giles was offered a chair at the University and asked by Philip III of France to become tutor to his son, Prince Philip the Fair.

It was thus at the king’s own request, Giles reveals in his introduction, that he wrote De Regimine principium, his book on the education of the prince. It is divided into three books: ‘On Self Government’, ‘On Household Government’, and ‘On Civil Government’. One of the most elaborate ‘mirrors’ for princes to be written in the Middle Ages, the work covers every aspect of their life and training. Its aim is to provide a ruler with everything he needs to know in order to govern effectively, whether in his personal life, in his household, or in his kingdom. In essence, Giles adapts the teachings of Aristotle’s Ethics and Politics to the situation of his own time, infusing them with contemporary and Christian significance. As is typical of thirteenth-century political thought, when Giles wants to prove his own position, he is most likely to cite Aristotle as his authority.

Book III, from which our excerpt is taken, concerns civil government, and is also divided into three parts. In Part I, Giles discusses Greek political theories, especially those of Plato, showing that his suggestions may not be practical or in the best interest of the community. Part II is about the best government in time of peace. In it, he begins with Aristotle’s discussion of forms of government, and moves to the proposition that hereditary monarchy is better than other forms. Following in the footsteps of other writers, he distinguishes the characteristics of the good king from those of the tyrant. Fundamentally that difference is simple: the king governs for the good of the community and by the rule of law. The tyrant rules in his own self-interest. A discussion of the nature of law follows and the analysis concludes with Giles’ reflections on the good community. It is here especially that he shows his recognition of the changing society around him: he focuses on the need for a large middle class, and the responsibility that ruler and ruled have to each other. It is this latter discussion that is included here, translated for the first time into English.

Part III concludes the work with a discussion of government in time of war, with practical advice on military recruitment and training, weapons, fortifications, and naval warfare.

‘ON CIVIL GOVERNMENT’

Chapter 33: The state, the kingdom and the people are best when there is a large

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