Erasmus Against War

At the dawn of the sixteenth century, a leading humanist scholar composed a passionate plea for peace that still echoes today. Written during the brief optimism of Pope Leo X’s reign, the treatise argues that war is contrary to Christian and civilised values, drawing on classical learning and the moral authority of the Church. It reflects Erasmus’s broader criticism of the militaristic culture of kings and popes, echoing themes first explored in his famous satirical work.

The accompanying introduction situates the essay within the turbulent politics of early modern Europe, naming figures such as Louis XII, Ferdinand the Catholic, and Sigismund of Poland to illustrate the widespread appetite for conflict. By presenting the original Latin text alongside a careful English translation, the edition invites listeners to hear the eloquent, reasoned appeal for reconciliation that once seemed possible before the Reformation’s upheavals. Listeners will discover how a Renaissance humanist’s vision of a peaceful Augustan age remains strikingly relevant in today’s world.