Description
ANGELIC POLITICS
Book Summary
This first critical and annotated edition of the work by Antonio Enríquez Gómez, written during his exile in France, offers the reader rigorous access to one of the most unique political treatises of the Hispanic Baroque. In contrast to the satanic politics he denounces, the author proposes a model based on cultural syncretism, freedom of conscience, and meritocracy. The edition is based on a unique copy, making it an indispensable tool for understanding the complexities of 17th-century political and religious thought.
What is it about?
Antonio Enríquez Gómez, persecuted by the Inquisition as a Judaizer, conceived Angelic Politics (Política angélica) during his exile in Rouen in 1647. Seven copies of this work in five dialogues are preserved, along with a single copy of another edition in three dialogues, which is the one presented in this critical edition. In the treatise, the author from Cuenca contrasts an angelic politics, built on syncretism and cultural contamination, against the satanic politics that he claims dominates the world. This proposal defends freedom of conscience, virtue, justice, and mercy, prioritizing personal merit over lineage. Furthermore, it includes a condemnation of inquisitorial practices and a proposal for the reform of the Holy Office so that it may fulfill its foundational purposes.
Main Themes
- Baroque political thought and political satire.
- Critique of the Inquisition and defense of freedom of conscience.
- Cultural and religious syncretism in 17th-century Spain.
- Meritocracy as a model of social organization versus lineage.
- Critical edition of a fundamental text for the history of Sephardic thought.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at researchers and students of Early Modern History, Golden Age Literature, Biblical Studies, and Exegesis, as well as readers interested in heterodox political thought, Sephardic culture, and inquisitorial processes. It is also of great value to specialists in textual criticism and the editing of primary sources.
What this book contributes
- Access to a unique copy of a Baroque treatise, presented in its first critical and annotated edition.
- Deep understanding of the political and religious tensions of the 17th century from the perspective of a persecuted author.
- Analysis of an alternative political proposal based on meritocracy and freedom of conscience.
- Rigorous study material for contextualizing Sephardic thought and exile literature.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Antonio Enríquez Gómez
- Publisher: Editorial de la Universidad de Huelva
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: History, Bibles, Biblical Studies and Exegesis
- Collection: History
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: December 2024
- Number of pages: 268
- Weight: 530 g
Editorial Review
This critical edition of Angelic Politics represents an essential contribution to the study of political and religious thought in the Hispanic Baroque. The work, previously difficult to access, is presented with a critical apparatus that allows the specialized reader to evaluate the complexities of the text and the circumstances of its creation. It is a mandatory reference tool for those researching Sephardic literature, religious dissent, and the alternative political proposals of the 17th century.