Note: Varies by jurisdiction
87-571: Note: Varies by jurisdiction Tyrannicide or tyrannomachia is the killing or assassination of a tyrant or unjust ruler, purportedly for the common good , and usually by one of the tyrant's subjects. Tyrannicide was legally permitted and encouraged in Classical Athens . Often, the term "tyrant" was a justification for political murders by rivals, but in some exceptional cases students of Platonic philosophy risked their lives against tyrants. The killing of Clearchus of Heraclea in 353 BC by
174-575: A Hypsistarian , to Christianity; he was subsequently ordained as bishop of Nazianzus in 328 or 329. The young Gregory and his brother, Caesarius , first studied at home with their uncle Amphylokhios. Gregory went on to study advanced rhetoric and philosophy in Nazianzus, Caesarea , Alexandria , and Athens . On the way to Athens his ship encountered a violent storm, and the terrified Gregory prayed to Christ that if He would deliver him, he would dedicate his life to His service. While at Athens, he developed
261-442: A "cautious, undogmatic" way. However, it is not clear or universally accepted that Gregory held to the doctrine of apocatastasis. Apart from the several theological discourses, Gregory was also one of the most important early Christian men of letters, a very accomplished orator, even perhaps one of the greatest of his time. Gregory was also a very prolific poet who wrote theological, moral, and biographical poems. The book VIII of
348-539: A broader discourse on the ethics of political violence, suggesting it aims to eliminate tyranny and restore justice. Aoife O'Donoghue explores the concept of tyranny and tyrannicide within the broader context of the global legal order in her book On Tyranny and the Global Legal Order (2021). O'Donoghue delves into the historical and philosophical foundations of tyrannicide, examining its evolution and relevance in contemporary political thought. Her analysis highlights
435-455: A close friendship with his fellow student Basil of Caesarea , and also made the acquaintance of Flavius Claudius Julianus, who would later become the emperor known as Julian the Apostate . In Athens, Gregory studied under the famous rhetoricians Himerius and Proaeresius . He may have been baptized there, or shortly after his return to Cappadocia. In 361, Gregory returned to Nazianzus and
522-521: A cohort led by his own court philosopher is considered a sincere tyrannicide. A person who carries out a tyrannicide is also called a "tyrannicide". The term originally denoted the action of Harmodius and Aristogeiton , who are often called the Tyrannicides , in killing Hipparchus of Athens in 514 BC. In modern terms, carrying out a tyrannicide, as in taking life of another person, is a criminal act, and lawbreakers are liable to police arrest and trial by
609-594: A court. Tyrannicide can also be a political theory and, as an allegedly justified form of the crime of murder , a dilemmatic case in the philosophy of law , and as such dates from antiquity. Plato describes a violent tyrant as the opposite of a good and "true king" in the Statesman , and while Aristotle in the Politics sees it as opposed to all other beneficial forms of government, he also described tyrannicide mainly as an act by those wishing to gain personally from
696-497: A defense of liberty and justice. He highlighted the moral dimensions of such acts through figures like Brutus , who assassinated Julius Caesar to protect the Roman Republic , and Timoleon of Corinth , who killed his tyrannical brother to save Corinth . Plutarch praised these actions as noble sacrifices made for the greater good, underscoring the idea that tyrannicide, when motivated by a selfless commitment to civic virtue, can be
783-495: A eulogy at her funeral. Following the deaths of his mother and father in 374, Gregory continued to administer the Diocese of Nazianzus but refused to be named bishop. Donating most of his inheritance to the needy, he lived an austere existence. At the end of 375, he withdrew to a monastery at Seleukia , living there for three years. Near the end of this period his friend Basil died. Although Gregory's health did not permit him to attend
870-664: A few hours after the attempted murder. Others were prosecuted for the killing: Antonio de la Maza and his conspirators were executed after their shooting of Rafael Trujillo , dictator of the Dominican Republic in 1961, as was Kim Jaegyu , who shot South Korean dictator Park Chung Hee in 1979. Five of the members of Young Bosnia who were involved with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo were sentenced to death by hanging, while eleven were sentenced to various years in prison, including Gavrilo Princip who fired
957-482: A final address ( Or. 42) and then departed. Returning to his homeland of Cappadocia, Gregory once again resumed his position as bishop of Nazianzus. He spent the next year combating the local Apollinarian heretics and struggling with periodic illness. He also began composing De Vita Sua , his autobiographical poem. By the end of 383 he found his health too feeble to cope with episcopal duties. Gregory established Eulalius as bishop of Nazianzus and then withdrew into
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#17328526730171044-507: A government acts tyrannically, violating the principles of justice and fairness, citizens have the right to resist, which may include tyrannicide under extreme circumstances. Michael Walzer , in Just and Unjust Wars (1977), examines the ethics of war and resistance, including the moral considerations surrounding the assassination of tyrants. Walzer discusses tyrannicide within the broader context of just war theory, arguing that in some cases, killing
1131-560: A great rhetorical contest of the Caesarean church precipitated by the arrival of accomplished Arian theologians and rhetors. In the subsequent public debates, presided over by agents of the Emperor Valens , Gregory and Basil emerged triumphant. This success confirmed for both Gregory and Basil that their futures lay in administration of the Church. Basil, who had long displayed inclinations to
1218-411: A legitimate and necessary act to preserve collective freedom and justice. This perspective aligns with earlier philosophical views, such as Aristotle's, which justified the removal of a tyrant if it served the common good. Augustine of Hippo debated the moral and ethical implications of tyrannicide within a Christian framework. Augustine argued that while resisting tyranny could be morally justified, it
1305-503: A significant impact on the shape of Trinitarian theology among both Greek and Latin -speaking theologians, and he is remembered as the "Trinitarian Theologian". Much of his theological work continues to influence modern theologians, especially in regard to the relationship among the three Persons of the Trinity. Along with the brothers Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa , he is known as one of
1392-441: A theory of tyrannicide, with Juan de Mariana describing their views in the 1598 work De rege et regis institutione, in which he wrote, "[B]oth the philosophers and theologians agree, that the prince who seizes the state with force and arms, and with no legal right, no public, civic approval, may be killed by anyone and deprived of his life..." The Jesuistic casuistry developed a similar theory, criticized by Blaise Pascal in
1479-613: A tyrant may be necessary to protect innocent lives and restore justice. David George, in Distinguishing Classical Tyrannicide from Modern Terrorism (1988), has argued that terrorism is a form of tyranny of which tyrannicide is a negation. He posits that tyrannicide serves as a countermeasure to terrorism, which uses fear and violence to subjugate populations. In George's view, the assassination of tyrants can be an act of liberation, dismantling oppressive structures and restoring autonomy. This situates tyrannicide within
1566-580: A villa for his residence; Gregory immediately transformed much of it into a church, naming it Anastasia, "a scene for the resurrection of the faith". From this little chapel he delivered five powerful discourses on Nicene doctrine, explaining the nature of the Trinity and the unity of the Godhead. Refuting the Eunomian denial of the Holy Spirit's divinity, Gregory offered this argument: Look at these facts: Christ
1653-593: Is a popular literary trope . Many works of fiction deal with the struggle of an individual or group of individuals to overthrow and kill an unjust tyrant. Often the tyranny is caused by a usurper to a royal throne, where the conclusion restores the proper heir. Children's literature frequently deals with the subject. Folk tales like The Nutcracker include the act, as do some video games series, like The Legend of Zelda and Star Fox . Examples in Disney animation include The Lion King and Aladdin which both involve
1740-580: Is born, the Holy Spirit is His Forerunner. Christ is baptized, the Spirit bears witness to this ... Christ works miracles, the Spirit accompanies them. Christ ascends, the Spirit takes His place. What great things are there in the idea of God which are not in His power? What titles appertaining to God do not apply also to Him, except for Unbegotten and Begotten? I tremble when I think of such an abundance of titles, and how many Names they blaspheme, those who revolt against
1827-520: Is different from neighbouring areas. Each state in a federation such as Australia , Germany and the United States forms a separate jurisdiction. However, certain laws in a federal state are sometimes uniform across the constituent states and enforced by a set of federal courts; with the result that the federal state forms a single jurisdiction for that purpose. A jurisdiction may also prosecute for crimes committed outside its jurisdiction once
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#17328526730171914-440: Is ordered by an authority is opposed to the object for which that authority was constituted ... not only is there no obligation to obey the authority, but one is obliged to disobey it, as did the holy martyrs who suffered death rather than obey the impious commands of tyrants." In 1408, the theologian Jean Petit used biblical examples to justify tyrannicide following the murder of Louis I, Duke of Orleans , by Petit's patron John
2001-543: Is the duty of citizens to protect the state and restore justice, even if it means taking drastic measures such as killing the tyrant. He believed that the welfare of the state and the protection of its citizens should take precedence over the life of a tyrant who endangers these principles. Support for tyrannicide can also be found in Seneca 's Hercules Furens , Seneca delves into the complex and often tragic nature of resisting tyranny. Through his dramatic narratives, Seneca portrays
2088-512: Is the public manifestation of the process of deification ( theosis ), which leads to a spiritual elevation and mystical union with God. Julian resolved, in late 362, to vigorously prosecute Gregory and his other Christian critics; however, the emperor perished the following year during a campaign against the Persians. With the death of the emperor, Gregory and the Eastern churches were no longer under
2175-482: Is used to combat oppressive regimes and restore political freedom. While she does not focus exclusively on tyrannicide, her analysis provides a framework for understanding the ethical justifications for violent resistance against tyranny. John Rawls , although primarily known for his theories of justice, touches on the conditions under which civil disobedience and resistance to unjust authority can be morally justified in A Theory of Justice (1971). Rawls argues that when
2262-475: The Provincial Letters . The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates by John Milton in 1649 also described the history of tyrannicide, and a defense of it when appropriate. In his book Leviathan (1651), Thomas Hobbes identified the idea that tyrannicide is justified and praiseworthy as one of several harmful doctrines that must be suppressed for the good of civil society. In Hobbes's view, this doctrine
2349-594: The American Civil War , reflect the ethical debate on violent resistance against tyranny, emphasizing that removing a despot can be a moral imperative to restore democratic governance and human rights. Lincoln was himself assassinated in 1865—with the assailant shouting " sic semper tyrannis " ("thus always to tyrants") during the act—as part of an unsuccessful conspiracy to overthrow the government. Carl Schmitt , in Political Theology (1922) and The Concept of
2436-859: The Cappadocian Fathers . Gregory of Nazianzus is a saint in both Eastern and Western Christianity . In the Catholic Church he is numbered among the Doctors of the Church ; in the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches he is revered as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs , along with Basil the Great and John Chrysostom . He is considered one of the Great Fathers in both Eastern and Western Christianity. He
2523-524: The Fanar . During the six years of life which remained to him after his final retirement to his birthplace, Gregory composed the greater part of his copious poetical works. These include a valuable autobiographical poem of nearly 2,000 lines; about one hundred other shorter poems relating to his past career; and a large number of epitaphs, epigrams, and epistles to well-known people during that era. The poems that he wrote that dealt with his personal affairs refer to
2610-681: The First Council of Ephesus in 431. By 451 he was designated Theologus , or Theologian by the Council of Chalcedon – a title held by no others save John the Apostle and Symeon the New Theologian (949–1022 AD). He is widely quoted by Eastern Orthodox theologians and highly regarded as a defender of the Christian faith. His contributions to Trinitarian theology are also influential and often cited in
2697-511: The Greek Anthology contains exclusively 254 epigrams of his. Gregory's great nephew Nichobulos served as his literary executor, preserving and editing many of his writings. A cousin, Eulalios, published several of Gregory's more noteworthy works in 391. By 400, Rufinius began translating his orations into Latin. As Gregory's works circulated throughout the empire they influenced theological thought. His orations were cited as authoritative by
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2784-670: The Italian Senate . In 1990, Samuel Doe , the President of Liberia, was tortured to his death. In 1996, during their takeover of Afghanistan, Taliban soldiers captured Mohammad Najibullah , the President of the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan and dragged him to death. During the 2011 Libyan civil war , Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed in the Battle of Sirte , in unclear circumstances. Tyrannicide
2871-743: The Old Testament but much clearer since the ascension of Jesus into Heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit at the feast of Pentecost. In contrast to the Neo-Arian belief that the Son is anomoios , or "unlike" the Father, and with the Semi-Arian assertion that the Son is homoiousios , or "like" the Father, Gregory and his fellow Cappadocians maintained the Nicaean doctrine of homoousia , or consubstantiality of
2958-727: The President of the National Convention , but after he led the Reign of Terror from 1793 to 1794, he was executed by beheading by the National Convention . Russian Tsar Nicholas II was executed by the Bolsheviks as an enemy of the people in 1918, following the 1917 October Revolution . The Romanian Revolution , one of the revolutions of 1989 , enabled a group of disaffected Romanian People's Army soldiers to capture Nicolae Ceauşescu ,
3045-642: The fall of the Western Roman Empire , tyrannicide continued in the Eastern Roman Empire when Emperor Andronikos I Komnenos was tied to a pillar, beaten, and dismembered by a mob in 1185. Tyrannicide has also been connected to revolutions, because many tyrannicides have occurred during successful revolutions, and other tyrannicides have sparked revolutionary upheavals. In the midst of the French Revolution , Maximilien Robespierre took power as
3132-579: The Apostles, replacing Demophilus. Theodosius wanted to further unify the entire empire behind the orthodox position and decided to convene a church council to resolve matters of faith and discipline. Gregory was of similar mind in wishing to unify Christianity. In the spring of 381 they convened the Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, which was attended by 150 Eastern bishops. After
3219-544: The Church anathematized Petit's views at the Council of Constance , condemning them as contrary to Christian teachings on legitimate authority and the sanctity of rulers. A Shorte Treatise of Politike Power , written by John Ponet in 1556, argued that the people are custodians of natural and divine law, and that if governors and kings violated their trust, then they forfeited their power, whether they relinquished their positions voluntarily or whether they had to be removed forcefully. The Monarchomachs in particular developed
3306-709: The Church of the Holy Apostles. Part of the relics were taken from Constantinople by Crusaders during the Fourth Crusade , in 1204, and ended up in Rome . On 27 November 2004, those relics, along with those of John Chrysostom , were returned to Constantinople (now Istanbul ) by Pope John Paul II , with the Vatican retaining a small portion of both. The relics are now enshrined in the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George in
3393-481: The Fearless , Duke of Burgundy. Petit argued that tyrannicide was not only permissible but commendable when the ruler in question posed a threat to the public good. This justification was based on interpretations of biblical figures who had acted against tyrants in defense of divine and moral laws. Petit's thesis sparked significant controversy and was extensively discussed in ecclesiastical and political circles. Ultimately,
3480-495: The French Revolution and continues to be a critical text in discussions of political legitimacy and popular sovereignty. Abraham Lincoln believed that assassinating a leader is morally justified when a people has suffered under a tyrant for an extended period of time and has exhausted all legal and peaceful means of ouster. He saw tyrannicide as a necessary last resort to protect liberty and justice. Lincoln's views, shaped by
3567-616: The Political (1932), addresses the nature of sovereignty and the state of exception. Schmitt argues that in extreme situations, the normal legal order can be suspended to address existential threats, which can include justifications for extreme measures like tyrannicide. His ideas have been influential and controversial in discussions about the limits of legal and political authority. Leo Strauss , in On Tyranny (1956), engages deeply with classical and modern discussions on tyranny. Strauss analyzes
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3654-532: The Roman dictator Julius Caesar in 44 BC. Booth famously shouted "sic semper tyrannis" during the assassination. Tyrannicides have a poor record of achieving their intended outcome. Caesar's death, for example, failed to bring a return to republican power, and instead led to the Roman Empire , but it galvanized later assassins. Several of Caesar's successors came to their demise by assassinations, including Caligula , who
3741-512: The See of Sasima was canonically illegitimate. Gregory was physically exhausted and worried that he was losing the confidence of the bishops and the emperor. Rather than press his case and risk further division, he decided to resign his office: "Let me be as the Prophet Jonah! I was responsible for the storm, but I would sacrifice myself for the salvation of the ship. Seize me and throw me ... I
3828-544: The Son with the Father. The Cappadocian Fathers asserted that God's nature is unknowable to man; helped to develop the framework of hypostases , or three persons united in a single Godhead; illustrated how Jesus is the eikon of the Father; and explained the concept of theosis , the belief that all Christians can be assimilated with God in "imitation of the incarnate Son as the divine model." Some of Gregory's theological writings suggest that, like his friend Gregory of Nyssa , he may have supported some form of
3915-471: The Spirit! Gregory's homilies were well received and attracted ever-growing crowds to Anastasia. Fearing his popularity, his opponents decided to strike. On the vigil of Easter in 379, an Arian mob burst into his church during worship services, wounding Gregory and killing another bishop. Escaping the mob, Gregory next found himself betrayed by his erstwhile friend, the philosopher Maximus the Cynic . Maximus, who
4002-486: The Theologian or Gregory Nazianzen , was an early Roman Christian theologian and prelate who served as Archbishop of Constantinople from 380 to 381. He is widely considered the most accomplished rhetorical stylist of the patristic age . As a classically trained orator and philosopher, he infused Hellenism into the early Church , establishing the paradigm of Byzantine theologians and church officials. Gregory made
4089-574: The Western churches. Paul Tillich credits Gregory of Nazianzus for having "created the definitive formulae for the doctrine of the trinity". Additionally, the Liturgy of St Gregory the Theologian in use by the Coptic Church is named after him. Following his death, Gregory was buried at Nazianzus. His relics, consisting of portions of his body and clothing, were transferred to Constantinople in 950, into
4176-405: The administration of his diocese. This strained his relationship with Basil, who insisted that Gregory resume his post at Sasima. Gregory retorted that he had no intention to continue to play the role of pawn to advance Basil's interests. He instead focused his attention on his new duties as coadjutor of Nazianzus. It was around this time that his sister, Saint Gorgonia , died, and he preached
4263-564: The city. From his deathbed, Basil reminded them of Gregory's capabilities and likely recommended his friend to champion the Trinitarian cause in Constantinople. In 379, the Antioch synod and its archbishop, Meletios, asked Gregory to go to Constantinople to lead a theological campaign to win over that city to Nicene orthodoxy. After much hesitation, Gregory agreed. His cousin Theodosia offered him
4350-442: The concept, the idea of procession would shape most later thought about the Holy Spirit. He emphasized that Jesus did not cease to be God when he became a man, nor did he lose any of his divine attributes when he took on human nature. Furthermore, Gregory asserted that Christ was fully human, including a full human soul. He also proclaimed the eternality of the Holy Spirit, saying that the Holy Spirit's actions were somewhat hidden in
4437-456: The conflicts which both tormented and motivated him. Biographers suggest that it was this dialectic which defined him, forged his character, and inspired his search for meaning and truth. Gregory's most significant theological contributions arose from his defense of the doctrine of the Trinity . He is especially noted for his contributions to the field of pneumatology —that is, theology concerning
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#17328526730174524-658: The continuous illness and severe sufferings (physical and spiritual) which assailed him during his last years. In the tiny plot of ground at Arianzus , all that remained to him of his rich inheritance was by a fountain near which there was a shady walk. Gregory retired here to spend his days as a hermit. It was during this time that he decided to write theological discourses and poetry of both a religious and an autobiographical nature. He would receive occasional visits from intimate friends, as well as visits from strangers who were attracted to his retreat by his large reputation for sanctity and learning. He died about 25 January 390, although
4611-412: The country's communist leader, and stage a trial after which he and his wife were executed by a firing squad of paratroopers. Many assassins have been killed in the act, such as Rigoberto López Pérez , who shot Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza García in 1956. Claus von Stauffenberg tried to kill Adolf Hitler on 20 July 1944 , was sentenced to death by an impromptu court martial and executed
4698-531: The death of the presiding bishop, Meletius of Antioch , Gregory was selected to lead the council. Hoping to reconcile the West with the East, he offered to recognize Paulinus as Patriarch of Antioch. The Egyptian and Macedonian bishops who had supported Maximus's ordination arrived late for the council. Once there, they refused to recognise Gregory's position as head of the church of Constantinople, arguing that his transfer from
4785-469: The doctrine of apocatastasis , the belief that God will bring all of creation into harmony with the Kingdom of Heaven. This led Philip Schaff and late-nineteenth century Christian universalists such as J. W. Hanson to describe Gregory's theology as universalist. This view of Gregory is also held by some modern theologians such as John Sachs, who said that Gregory had "leanings" toward apocatastasis, but in
4872-663: The episcopacy, was elected bishop of the see of Caesarea in Cappadocia in 370. Gregory was ordained Bishop of Sasima in 372 by Basil. Basil created this see in order to strengthen his position in his dispute with Anthimus , bishop of Tyana . The ambitions of Gregory's father to have his son rise in the Church hierarchy and the insistence of his friend Basil convinced Gregory to accept this position despite his reservations. Gregory would later refer to his episcopal ordination as forced upon him by his strong-willed father and Basil. Describing his new bishopric, Gregory lamented how it
4959-419: The fatal shot. Khalid Islambouli was one of three members of Egyptian Islamic Jihad executed for the assassination of Anwar Sadat , the autocratic President of Egypt in 1981. Both Hipparchus's assassins were themselves killed, Harmodius on the spot and Aristogeiton after being tortured, and the major conspirators in the plot to kill Caesar were likewise killed or forced to commit suicide. Outright revolt
5046-514: The funeral, he wrote a heartfelt letter of condolence to Basil's brother, Gregory of Nyssa , and composed twelve memorial poems dedicated to the memory of his departed friend. (The Greek Anthology, book I epigram 86 and book VIII epigrams 2–11). Upon the death of Emperor Valens in 378, the accession of Theodosius I , a steadfast supporter of Nicene orthodoxy, was good news to those who wished to purge Constantinople of Arian and Apollinarian domination. The exiled Nicene party gradually returned to
5133-420: The idea of the general will and the right of the people to overthrow a tyrant who acts against it. Rousseau argued that sovereignty belongs to the people, and any government that does not act in accordance with the general will is illegitimate. This perspective supports the notion that the people have the right to depose a tyrant who violates the social contract. Rousseau's work laid the philosophical foundation for
5220-507: The imperial city. Affairs in Constantinople remained confused as Gregory's position was still unofficial, and Arian priests yet occupied many important churches. The arrival of the emperor Theodosius in 380 settled matters in Gregory's favor. The emperor, determined to eliminate Arianism, expelled Bishop Demophilus . Gregory was subsequently enthroned as bishop of Constantinople at the Basilica of
5307-446: The intersection of tyrannicide with issues of global justice, sovereignty, and international law, providing a nuanced understanding of how the act of resisting tyranny through violence is viewed in modern legal and ethical frameworks. Throughout history, many leaders have died under the pretext of tyrannicide. Hipparchus , one of the last Greek leaders to use the title of "tyrant", was assassinated in 514 BC by Harmodius and Aristogeiton,
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#17328526730175394-561: The life of the Orthodox Church who have been officially designated "Theologian" by epithet, the other two being John the Theologian (the Evangelist), and Symeon the New Theologian . Gregory was born to Greek parents in the family estate of Karbala outside the village of Arianzus , near Nazianzus , in southwest Cappadocia . His parents, Gregory and Nonna , were wealthy land-owners. In AD 325, Nonna converted her husband,
5481-584: The moral repugnance of tyranny. In contrast, Gregory of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom framed the death of Emperor Julian the Apostate as a divine judgment rather than explicitly addressing the concept of tyrannicide. They emphasized Julian's demise as evidence of the triumph of Christianity over paganism. During the Middle Ages , most theologians were influenced on the subject by Augustine's The City of God , which said that Christians should obey secular authority. The scholastic philosopher John of Salisbury
5568-520: The nature of the Holy Spirit . In this regard, Gregory is the first to use the idea of procession to describe the relationship between the Spirit and the Godhead: "The Holy Spirit is truly Spirit, coming forth from the Father indeed but not after the manner of the Son, for it is not by generation but by procession , since I must coin a word for the sake of clearness." Although Gregory does not fully develop
5655-637: The next year. Arriving at Nazianzus , Gregory found the local Christian community split by theological differences and his father accused of heresy by local monks. Gregory helped to heal the division through a combination of personal diplomacy and oratory. By this time, Emperor Julian had publicly declared himself in opposition to Christianity. In response to the emperor's rejection of the Christian faith, Gregory composed his Invectives Against Julian between 362 and 363. Invectives asserts that Christianity will overcome imperfect rulers such as Julian through love and patience. This process as described by Gregory
5742-429: The original tyrannicides. Since then "tyrant" has been a pejorative term lacking objective criteria. Many rulers and heads of state have been considered tyrannical by their enemies but they have not been considered tyrannical by their supporters. For example, when John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln in 1865, he wrote that he considered Lincoln a tyrant and he compared himself to Marcus Junius Brutus, who stabbed
5829-531: The other limbs and organs are bound by their duty to the public welfare and God to correct and, ultimately, to slay the tyrant. In Thomas Aquinas 's commentary on the Sentences of Peter Lombard , Aquinas gave a defense not only of disobedience to an unjust authority, using as an example Christian martyrs in the Roman Empire , but also of "one who liberates his country by killing a tyrant." For Aquinas, "when what
5916-401: The people and forfeits the right to rule. In such cases, it becomes the moral duty of the citizens to remove the tyrant to restore natural law and order. Locke's political theory profoundly influenced the development of modern democratic thought, emphasizing the protection of life, liberty, and property as fundamental rights. Jean-Jacques Rousseau , in The Social Contract (1762), touches on
6003-419: The perpetrator returns. In some cases, a citizen of another jurisdiction outside its own, can be extradited to a jurisdiction in which the crime is illegal even if it was not committed in that jurisdiction. Unitary state are usually single jurisdictions, but the United Kingdom is a notable exception since it has three separate jurisdictions because of its three separate legal systems . Also, China has
6090-424: The philosophical implications of opposing tyrannical rule and the potential justification for tyrannicide, drawing on historical examples and philosophical arguments to explore the moral complexities of resisting despotism. Hannah Arendt , in her work On Violence (1970), explores the nature of power, violence, and authority. Arendt argues that violence can be justified in certain circumstances, particularly when it
6177-415: The play William Tell and the ballad Die Bürgschaft on existing legends of tyrannicide. The Italian dramatist, poet and philosopher Vittorio Alfieri devoted much of his work to this issue. [REDACTED] Quotations related to Tyrannicide at Wikiquote Jurisdiction (area) A jurisdiction is an area with a set of laws and under the control of a system of courts or government entity that
6264-612: The psychological and ethical struggles faced by those who stand against oppressive rulers. In Hercules Furens , the titular hero grapples with madness and the burdens of his immense strength, ultimately exploring themes of resistance against unjust authority. Seneca uses his characters to illustrate the moral complexities and the potential justifications for tyrannicide, highlighting the internal and external conflicts that arise when confronting tyranny. Plutarch, in his biographical works, notably in Parallel Lives , presented tyrannicide as
6351-626: The separate jurisdictions of Hong Kong and Macao . This article related to international law is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Gregory of Nazianzus Autocephaly recognized by some autocephalous Churches de jure : Autocephaly and canonicity recognized by Constantinople and 3 other autocephalous Churches: Spiritual independence recognized by Georgian Orthodox Church: Semi-Autonomous: Gregory of Nazianzus ( Greek : Γρηγόριος ὁ Ναζιανζηνός , romanized : Grēgorios ho Nazianzēnos ; c. 329 – 25 January 390), also known as Gregory
6438-421: The solitude of Arianzum. After enjoying six peaceful years in retirement at his family estate, he died on 25 January in 390. Gregory faced stark choices throughout his life: Should he pursue studies as a rhetor or philosopher? Would a monastic life be more appropriate than public ministry? Was it better to blaze his own path or follow the course mapped for him by his father and Basil? Gregory's writings illuminate
6525-437: The threat of persecution, as the new emperor Jovian was an avowed Christian and supporter of the church. Gregory spent the next few years combating Arianism , which threatened to divide the region of Cappadocia . In this tense environment, Gregory interceded on behalf of his friend Basil with Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea ( Mazaca ). The two friends then entered a period of close fraternal cooperation as they participated in
6612-437: The tyrannical takeover of a monarchy and its overhaul. Fantasy works like The Chronicles of Narnia , The Brothers Lionheart , A Song of Ice and Fire and science-fiction series like Star Wars and Doctor Who all deal with the killing of tyrants. Besides Julius Caesar , a number of William Shakespeare 's plays deal with the subject, including Hamlet , Macbeth , and Richard III . Friedrich Schiller based
6699-451: The tyrant's death, while those who act without hope of personal gain or to make a name for themselves are rare. Support for tyrannicide can be found in Cicero 's De Officiis . Cicero presents a philosophical stance that in certain extreme circumstances, tyrannicide can be considered a moral duty. Cicero argues that when a ruler becomes a tyrant, violating the laws and oppressing the people, it
6786-427: Was considered the patron saint of Kotromanić dynasty and medieval Bosnia during the first half of the 15th century, while Saint George , the miracle-worker, has been the patron saint since at least mid-13th century, although confirmed by the papacy much later in 1461. Saint Gregory the Great was also considered the patron of both the state and dynasty in the late 15th century. He is also one of only three men in
6873-408: Was equivalent to asserting that men may kill their rulers as long as they label them as tyrants first. John Locke , in his Second Treatise of Government (1689), argued that people have the right to overthrow a government that fails to protect their natural rights, which includes tyrannicide as a form of legitimate resistance. Locke posited that a tyrant, by definition, acts against the interest of
6960-496: Was essential to weigh such actions against the broader principles of Christian ethics and the potential for violence and disorder. His writings reflect a nuanced view, acknowledging the tension between the necessity of opposing unjust rulers and the dangers of inciting greater harm through violent resistance. As R. A. Markus notes, Augustine’s approach to tyrannicide was heavily influenced by his overarching concern for maintaining social order and preventing anarchy, even while recognizing
7047-399: Was in secret alliance with Peter, bishop of Alexandria, attempted to seize Gregory's position and have himself ordained bishop of Constantinople. Shocked, Gregory decided to resign his office, but the faction faithful to him induced him to stay and ejected Maximus. This episode left Gregory embarrassed, and exposed him to criticism as a provincial simpleton unable to cope with the intrigues of
7134-440: Was not happy when I ascended the throne, and gladly would I descend it." He shocked the council with his surprise resignation and then delivered a dramatic speech to Theodosius asking to be released from his offices. The emperor, moved by his words, applauded, commended his labor, and granted his resignation. The Council asked him to appear once more for a farewell ritual and celebratory orations. Gregory used this occasion to deliver
7221-417: Was nothing more than an "utterly dreadful, pokey little hole; a paltry horse-stop on the main road ... devoid of water, vegetation, or the company of gentlemen ... this was my Church of Sasima!" He made little effort to administer his new diocese, complaining to Basil that he preferred instead to pursue a contemplative life. By late 372, Gregory returned to Nazianzus to assist his dying father with
7308-499: Was ordained a presbyter by his father's wish, who wanted him to assist with caring for local Christians. The younger Gregory, who had been considering a monastic existence, resented his father's decision to force him to choose between priestly services and a solitary existence, calling it an "act of tyranny". Leaving home after a few days, he met his friend Basil at Annesoi, where the two lived as ascetics. However, Basil urged him to return home to assist his father, which he did for
7395-500: Was stabbed in 41 by Cassius Chaerea and other Praetorian Guards , and Domitian , stabbed in 96 by a steward of Flavia Domitilla named Stephanus. Many attempts on Commodus 's life in the late 2nd century failed, including the one instigated by his own sister Lucilla , but he ultimately fell victim to his own excess by a successful murderous coup. Other emperors assassinated from within include Claudius , Caracalla , Elagabalus , Marcus Aurelius Marius , and Severus Alexander . After
7482-540: Was the context for other tyrannicides and it allowed individual killers to escape or remain anonymous. During World War II and the insurgency of the Italian resistance movement , Walter Audisio claimed to have led his team of partisans in the abduction and execution by firing squad of Benito Mussolini in 1945. The circumstances remain clouded, though Audisio was later elected to both the Italian Chamber of Deputies and
7569-481: Was the first medieval Christian scholar to defend tyrannicide, under specific conditions, in the Policraticus , circa 1159. His theory was derived from his idea of the state as a political organism in which all the members cooperate actively in the realization of the common utility and justice. He held that when the ruler of this body politic behaves tyrannically, failing to perform his characteristic responsibilities,
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