Britannica AI Icon

Behemoth; or, The Long Parliament

work by Hobbes

Quick Summary

Behemoth; or, The Long Parliament is a historical work by Thomas Hobbes, written in English and published in 1679. It details the causes of the English Civil Wars, focusing on the period of the Long Parliament. Hobbes, known for his political philosophy in Leviathan, viewed government as essential for ensuring collective security and preventing civil war. In Behemoth, he analyzes the factors that lead to societal breakdown, attributing them to the erosion of sovereign authority and the influence of rhetoric and ambition. The book serves as a historical case study to support his theories on the necessity of a strong, unified government to maintain peace and order.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.