Considerations on the Causes of the Greatness of the Romans and their Decline

“Republication of David Lowenthal’s elegant translation of Montesquieu’s neglected study of the Romans–an indispensable source for understanding the philosopher’s treatment of Rome in The Spirit of the Laws–makes the book available to a new generation of English-language readers. Lowenthal’s perceptive introduction and useful notes also deserve the attention of those who can read Montesquieu in the original French.” –James W. Muller, University of Alaska, Anchorage