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Chapter Overview
Chapter 1: AudiobookHub Recommendation
Chapter 2: Revolutionary Americans saw the ancient Roman Republic as a model for republican government.
Chapter 3: Washington aspired to be a virtuous statesman and military general.
Chapter 4: In the Revolutionary War, Washington embodied both Fabius and Cincinnatus.
Chapter 5: John Adams saw himself as an American Cicero.
Chapter 6: Thomas Jefferson drew inspiration from the Greeks, particularly Epicurus.
Chapter 7: James Madison saw the classics through an Enlightenment lens.
Chapter 8: American classicism waned after the ratification of the Constitution.
Description
Over the years, much has been made of the influence of Enlightenment ideas – particularly those of English philosopher John Locke – on America’s founding fathers. First Principles (2020) takes a different approach. It focuses instead on the ways in which Greek and Roman history and philosophy profoundly shaped the values and goals of America’s first four presidents, and how classical ideas are embedded in the nation to this day.
Who Should Listen
- Anyone interested in American history, or political philosophy
- Students of Greek and Roman classics