Machiavelli’s ‘Lucretian’ Republic

Polis 42 (1):135-155 (2025)
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Abstract

Focusing on Machiavelli’s knowledge of Lucretius’ De rerum natura, I explore Machiavelli’s relationship to Lucretius. I am especially interested in Machiavelli’s apparent disavowal of the Epicurean goal of ataraxia in light of Machiavelli’s republicanism. Machiavelli, I argue, abandons this core dimension of Lucretius’ project in order to preserve and enhance his desired form of republicanism.

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10.1163/20512996-12340467

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