Justus Lipsius, Monita et exempla politica / Political Admonitions and Examples

Political thought and philosophy in 17th-century Europe
In 17th-century intellectual life, the ideas of the Renaissance humanist Justus Lipsius (1547–1606) were omnipresent. The publication of his Politica in 1589 had made Lipsius’ name as an original and controversial political thinker. The sequel, the Monita et exempla politica (Political admonitions and examples), published in 1605, was meant as an illustration of Lipsius political thought as expounded in the Politica. Its aim was to offer concrete models of behavior for rulers against the background of Habsburg politics.

Lipsius’ later political treatise also forms an indispensable key to interpret the place and function of the Politica in Lipsius’ political discourse and in early modern political thought. The Political admonitions and examples – widely read, edited, and translated in the 17th and 18th centuries – show Lipsius’ pivotal role in the genesis of modern political philosophy.

This publication is GPRC-labeled (Guaranteed Peer-Reviewed Content).

Preface
Introduction Section 1. Lipsius and the Monita: General Introduction Section 2. The Monita and Early Modern Political Writing: Genre and Form Section 3. The Monita in the Context of Lipsius’ Oeuvre Section 4. Towards a Reassessment of Lipsius’ Political Views Section 5. The Humanist at Work: Invention, Disposition, and Elocution Section 6. The History of the Printed Text: Early Modern Editions
Text and Translation I. Principles of this Edition II. The English Translation Monita et exempla politica
Commentary I. Preliminary Remarks II. Commentary on Book I III. Commentary on Book 2 Appendix: Tables of contents of the Monita and the Politica
Bibliography General index

Jan Papy

Jan Papy is full professor of Latin and Neo-Latin literature at KU Leuven. He publishes on Renaissance Humanism in the Low Countries, intellectual history, and Lipsius and Neo-Stoic philosophy.

Toon Van Houdt

Toon Van Houdt is associate professor of Latin at KU Leuven. His research focuses on the history of political and ethical thought in early modern times.

Marijke Janssens

Marijke Janssens earned her PhD from KU Leuven with a dissertation on Lipsius’ 'Monita et exempla politica' and has published several articles on Lipsius and his political views.