The Ruins; Or, Meditation on the Revolutions of Empires and the Law of Nature

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Volney, C.-F. (Constantin-François), 1757-1820.

Standardized Title:

Les ruines. English

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Ruins; Or, Meditation on the Revolutions of Empires and the Law of Nature" by C. F. Volney is a philosophical treatise composed in the late 18th century. The work delves into themes of society, morality, and the cyclic nature of empires and civilizations, using historical reflections as a backdrop for its exploration of human existence and governance. The opening of the book introduces the author's journey across the once-prosperous regions of Egypt and Syria, where he contemplates the ruins of past civilizations. Volney reflects on the stark contrast between the ancient splendor of these cities and their current desolation, spurring meditations on the causes of societal decline and human misery. As he interacts with the remnants of grandeur, he confronts haunting questions about fate, divine justice, and the responsibility of humanity for its own sufferings. This poignant engagement sets the stage for his deeper examination of the laws of nature and society, encouraging readers to seek wisdom from history to understand their present conditions. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Donald Lainson; David Widger

Notes:

Translation from French of Les ruines

Reading ease score: 50.8 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Release date is 2006-05-03