Machiavelli and Demosthenes: Lessons from a pending comparison

Authors

  • Andrés de Francisco Universidad Complutense de Madrid

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18042/cepc/rep.209.09

Abstract

This article presents an unprecedented comparison between Machiavelli and Demosthenes, two figures who, despite being separated by nearly two millennia, share a common horizon of political reflection centered on the struggle for freedom against external threats. Drawing on analogies between Renaissance Italy and Classical Greece, the analysis highlights their similarities in the concepts of fortune, political opportunity (kairós), and virtue (virtù), as well as their rhetorical approach. However, four key differences are identified: political innovation, the intended audience of their discourse, their stance on territorial expansion, and the use of myth in political action. While Demosthenes advocates for preserving the republican order and ensuring leadership remains under civic control, Machiavelli introduces the figure of the new prince as a redeemer. This comparison offers a new perspective on Machiavelli’s modernity and its impact on contemporary political theory.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Published

2025-09-26

How to Cite

de Francisco, A. (2025). Machiavelli and Demosthenes: Lessons from a pending comparison. Revista De Estudios Políticos, (209), 195–220. https://doi.org/10.18042/cepc/rep.209.09

Issue

Section

ARTICLES