The Fasces: A History of Ancient Rome's Most Dangerous Political Symbol

Fascism is a word with ancient roots, dating back to Rome, where fasces were a bundle of wooden rods with an axe placed within. It was used to induce respect and fear and had a lasting impact on subsequent eras. Benito Mussolini propagated the fasces on a large scale in the 20th century, but today it has become largely unfamiliar, allowing contemporary extremist groups to exploit it. This book offers the first global history of the fasces, from antiquity to the present.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 21 November 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Fascism is a term that permeates our modern political landscape, yet its origins and evolution remain largely unknown to many. In ancient Rome, the fasces were a bundle of wooden rods bound with a leather cord, containing an axe. These symbols were carried by attendants before Rome's higher officials, instilling a sense of respect and fear in those who encountered them. The fasces symbolized authority and power, and its presence was intended to convey the authority of the state.

This highly performative Roman institution lasted for nearly two millennia, leaving a profound impact on subsequent eras, from the Byzantine period to the present. During the Renaissance, there were revivals and reinterpretations of the ancient fasces, particularly after 1789, the year of the United States Constitution and the onset of the French Revolution. However, it was Benito Mussolini who truly propagated the fasces on an unprecedented scale, beginning in 1919.

Interestingly, today, the fasces symbol has become largely unfamiliar, which has provided a fertile ground for contemporary extremist groups to exploit. In his book, "The Fasces," T. Corey Brennan offers the first comprehensive global history of the fasces, tracing its origins from antiquity to the twenty-first century. Brennan delves into the various meanings and interpretations of this symbol throughout its history, exploring its evolution and its impact on political and social movements.

The book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the origins and complexities of fascism. By tracing the history of the fasces, Brennan provides a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural factors that have shaped our contemporary world. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in politics, history, and the study of symbols and their meanings.

Weight: 558g
Dimension: 166 x 242 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197644881