Valerius Maximus’ Fides publica and its Reception in The 17th-c. Netherlands

Description

While in recent scholarship much attention has been devoted to fides, more particular Publica Fides, the pivotal chapters Valerius Maximus has written on the theme (FDM 6.5) - although frequently referred to in other publications - have hardly attracted attention in Valerian studies in itself. In this contribution, I approach fides as one of the main elements in bonds between men, between state and individual, and as a pledge of loyalty towards foreign nations. Fides and its societal, juridical and moral aspects, is a key concept in the program of moral behaviour that Valerius presents the reader with (also in relation to related virtues such as fortitudo and severitas). The position of fides in book 6, in relation with previous and following virtues and vices, is crucial in the understanding of Valerius’ concept of fides, and, in a way, of the structuring of FDM in its entirety. It was Hugo Grotius who, sixteen years later, made use of the concept of fides publica and drew extensively on Valerius' description of it, as evidenced in scriptures such as de societate publica cum infidelibus.

Period	27 Sept 2024
Held at	Excellenzlabor Europa 2024, Universität des Saarlandes, Villa Vigoni, Menaggio, Italy
Degree of Recognition	International