Notes that much had changed in the Roman's social order at the end of the Republic. Claims both Vitruvius and Cicero used writing to persuade Roman citizens to reclaim their heritage: of building arts in Vitruvius' case; and of philosophy and meaningful public oratory in Cicero's case. (NH)

Relates that, in the mid-1500s, Agricola combined the traditions of Hermetic secrets and handbooks to compile mining lore into "De Re Metallica," in which he wrote clearly and simply, illustrated information with graphics, and rationalized use of occult knowledge based on utility. States his text paved the way for philosophers to legitimate…

Explores how ideas of harmony and coercion play out in metaphors of community. Suggests four dimensions as continua along which communities could be described: choice/chance, time/space, abstract/concrete, and affinity/proximity. Concludes that breaking up the clearly bounded, either/or approach to modeling community can better accommodate the…