The first question must be, “Is the City just because it was constituted by the gods?” This justice was simply assumed, but that is not acceptable to the philosopher. After many long dialogues, Plato’s conclusion is that there is an idea of Justice that is independent of both man and gods. Continue reading
I don’t know if the following review by Rene Guenon of Revolt against the Modern World has been published anywhere, but it is worth including here for the issues it raises. Like Ananda Coomaraswamy, Guenon’s primary objection is also the emphasis of regality over the sacerdotal caste. Those who would … Continue reading
The oldest son was begotten for the accomplishment of the duty due the ancestors; the others are the fruit of love. Continue reading
The ancient Greeks and Romans buried the dead with clothing, utensils and arms. “They poured wine upon his tomb to quench his thirst and placed food there to satisfy his hunger.“
It was important to bury the dead so they would they would have a dwelling place. The soul with no tomb was a wandering spirit, vainly seeking the repose it crazed (we still say “may he rest in peace”). As a wandering ghost, he could never find the offerings and food it needed. He became malevolent, tormenting the living, bringing disease, ravaging harvests and frightening them. Continue reading
this path is not for the man with a pedigree but rather for the Twice-born, or noble man. This path is not for the man with a degree, but rather for the man of power. This path is not for the specialist, but rather for the genius. Continue reading
These king-priests were inaugurated with a religious ceremonial. The new king, being conducted to the summit of the Capitoline Hill, was seated upon a stone seat, his face turned towards the south. On his left was seated an augur, his head covered with sacred fillets, and holding in his hand the augur’s staff. He marked off certain lines in the heavens, pronounced a prayer, and, placing his hand upon the king’s head, supplicated the gods to show, by a visible sign, that this chief was agreeable to them. Then, as soon as a flash of lightning or a flight of birds had manifested the will of the gods the new king took possession of his charges. Continue reading
The Spartans remain immovable, their shields placed at their feet, without even putting themselves on the defensive against the arrows of the enemy. They await the signal of the gods. At last the victims offer the favorable signs; then the Spartans raise their shields, seize their swords, move on to battle and are victorious. Continue reading