Chapter 1 The Varied Fortunes of Alberico Gentili
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The Gentilian theory of international law has been interpreted in many different ways. Although both historians and international lawyers have investigated Gentili’s thought with increasing determination, intensity, and depth, no single truth has emerged; rather, multiple accounts attest to the complexity, versatility, and multidimensionality of the Gentilian system.
Chapter 1 briefly discusses the methodology adopted in the book, the oscillations in the historical assessment of the Gentilian work, the state of the art, and the intended contribution of the book. The clash of competing religious, political, and cultural currents in Gentili’s lifetime meant that a certain, perhaps deliberate, ambiguity characterizes his writings, which remain complex, controversial, and intriguing texts.
Far from attempting to propose a definitive or ultimate vision of the Gentilian work, the book highlights the complexity of the Gentilian thought, the legitimacy of the different interpretations it has inspired and the fact that the Gentilian opus has translucent and reflective qualities: it often mirrors the ideas of the reader. The book shows that Gentili was neither as liberal as his supporters have argued nor as conservative as his detractors have implied; rather, Gentili often took opposing interests into account and attempted to strike a balance among them. The book therefore tries to provide a balanced analytical assessment of Gentili’s contribution to international law, offering the reader the analytical tools to engage with the Gentilian work, and inviting the reader to read the Gentilian works for themselves to form an assessment and attempt to solve the jigsaw. In particular, it offers an analytical framework for understanding the Gentilian works, focusing on his contribution to international law.