“Defensor Pacis”: a Way to De-sacralization of Power

Abstract

The article presents an analysis of the famous treatise Marsilius padua and Jean of Zhanden. The aim of this work was to determine the causes of disputes and wars that plagued the Western European society first quarter of the XIV century. Introducing two power institutes: church and state, the culprit troubles scientists called the Church of Rome, claiming to exercise not only spiritual, but also secular jurisdiction. The ideas, presented in the pages of the treatise, were reflected the political changes that have been associated with the strengthening of the imperial and royal power in Western Europe at the designated time.

The study was conducted on the basis of the English translation of the source made by Alan Gewirth.