The Library
1780 works catalogued century by century, from the literature the Bible was written among to the present — each with a note on what it is, why it lasted, and where to read it.
1001–1100
1 work
c. 1085
Latin
Liber ad Gebehardum
Manegold of Lautenbach · c. 1030–c. 1103
A defence of the pope against Henry IV, arguing that a king holds office under something like a contract with his people, and forfeits it if he becomes a tyrant.
1101–1200
1 work
1159
Latin
John of Salisbury · c. 1120–1180
On the follies of courtiers and the duties of rulers, comparing the commonwealth to a body and arguing that a tyrant may lawfully be killed.
1201–1300
1 work
c. 1265–1267; unfinished
Latin
De Regno
Thomas Aquinas · 1225–1274
Written for a king of Cyprus: monarchy is the best form of government and tyranny the worst, and a people may act against a ruler who has broken the terms of his office.
1501–1600
3 works
1564–1579
Old Church Slavonic
Ivan IV and Andrei Kurbsky
A defector accuses the tsar of murdering his own servants; the tsar replies at enormous length that a ruler answerable only to God may do as he pleases with them.
1574
French
Theodore Beza · 1519–1605
Written after the Saint Bartholomew's Day massacre: lesser magistrates may lawfully resist a tyrant, since rulers hold office by a covenant with the people.
1579
Latin
Vindiciae contra Tyrannos
Anonymous
Four questions on whether subjects must obey a ruler who commands against God, and who may resist — answered by a double covenant between God, king, and people.
6 of 1780 works