Peter Paul Rubens, Consequences of War (1638–39)

Conflict and diplomacy shaped the fabric of early modern Europe. This monthly virtual reading group explores the shifting paradigms of violence, statecraft, coexistence, and peacebuilding in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Central to our exploration are the foundational voices of this era in Western Europe, notably Desiderius Erasmus, whose seminal writings established him as a prominent promoter of peace and a fierce critic of Christian warfare. This group will consider different perspectives of early modern warfare through its examination of foundational texts as well as recent historiography, and how these sources, or past conflicts, continue to echo in our understanding of global security today.

Discussion topics will include:

• The Just War Doctrine: Its framework in early modern Europe and relevance to our time
• Nicholas of Cusa (Cusanus): Interreligious peace
• Francisco de Vitoria: The beginnings of international law
• Las Casas vs. Sepúlveda: The Valladolid debate (1550–1551) concerning the Amerindians
• Papal Crusade Plans: Strategies against the Ottoman Empire (15th–16th centuries)
• Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent: The Siege of Vienna (1529)
• Erasmus’s teachings on peace: Dulce bellum inexpertis
• Juan Luis Vives: Peace, psychology, and education
• Martin Luther: The conception of the Turks as God’s rod of wrath

Monthly meetings will be hosted on Zoom (link: https://yorku.zoom.us/j/95888630341) on Mondays at 10am (EST).

Organizers: Nathan Ron and Natalia Khomenko

Schedule of Readings

Monday, September 28, 2026 10am (EST)
The Just War Doctrine: Historical Frameworks in Early Modern Europe and Their Relevance to Modern Geopolitics.

Subsequent meeting dates TBD