The Chilcot enquiry into the Iraq war raises the old question of what constitutes a ‘just’ war. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas are the authorities here, but they have their eyes on their predecessors.
The Chilcot enquiry into the Iraq war raises the old question of what constitutes a ‘just’ war. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas are the authorities here, but they have their eyes on their predecessors.
Ancient Greeks had little to say about the concept but, contrary to received opinion, they were not (for the most part) committed warmongers. Just over one third of the Iliad is taken up with battle scenes (about 300 encounters), but Ares the war god is the most hated divinity of all, and when a duel between Menelaus (husband of Helen) and Paris, her seducer, is proposed to settle the issue once and for all, the troops on both sides are delighted, remove their arms and settle down to watch.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in