The Romans’ conquest of Syracuse and other Greek cities led to a fascinating encounter between two of the sources most at the heart of what we often call ‘Western Civilization’. Notwithstanding the Greeks’ achievements, several thoughtful Romans were fearful that an influx of Greek sophistication would weaken the Roman Republic. Cato the Elder was the most prominent of this group, and we begin here with a review of the limited remaining evidence of his thinking. We then look further afield for (...) allies who might develop his case further. We find them, ironically enough, among the Greeks themselves. (shrink)

Xenophon's masterpiece The Education of Cyrus—a work admired by Machiavelli for its lessons on leadership—is at last available in a new English translation for a new century. Also known as the Cyropaedia, this philosophical novel is loosely based on the accomplishments of Cyrus the Great, founder of the vast Persian Empire that later became the archrival of the Greeks in the classical age. It offers an extraordinary portrait of political ambition, talent, and their ultimate limits. The writings of Xenophon are (...) increasingly recognized as important works of political philosophy. In The Education of Cyrus, Xenophon confronts the vexing problem of political instability by exploring the character and behavior of the ruler. Impressive though his successes are, however, Cyrus is also examined in the larger human context, in which love, honor, greed, revenge, folly, piety, and the search for wisdom all have important parts to play. Wayne Ambler's prose captures the charm and drama of the work while also achieving great accuracy. His introduction, annotations, and glossary help the reader to appreciate both the engaging story itself and the volume's contributions to philosophy. (shrink)