Robespierre: * see Endnote 27

(1758-1794) French lawyer & politician, influential figure in the Revolution, leader in the Reign of Terror.  Influenced by Enlightenment philosophes of Rousseau & Montesquieu, a spokesman for the left-wing bourgeoisie.  A member of the Estates-General, the Constituent Assembly & the Jacobin Club, an outspoken advocate for the poor, democratic institutions, universal male suffrage, price controls on food & the abolition of slavery.  An opponent of the death penalty he arranged the execution of King Louis XVI, which led to the establishment of a Republic.

​

Roman Patrician order:

ruling class families in Rome, highly significant in the early Republic; Livy claimed they were the first 100 men appointed as senators by Romulus,  the "fathers" (Latin "patres"); their descendants became the patrician class.  Distinct from the plebeians, most political offices were reserved for this class in the early Republic; after287 BC the plebs were granted equal rights (such as quotas of officials, consulship).  Being a patrician remained prestigious but it held minimal practical importance.  Other than religious offices, plebeians were able to stand for all the same offices; plebeians of the senatorial class were as wealthy as patricians at the height of the republic.  By the time of the late Republic & Empire, membership was of nominal significance.

 

Hohenstaufen: * see Endnote 28

(1138-1254) dynasty of German kings, ruled kingdom of Sicily; 3 of the dynasty, Frederick I, Henry VI and Frederick II, were crowned Holy Roman Emperor.  

​

Maya Culture: * see Endnote 29

a Mesoamerican civilization developed by the Maya peoples, famous for its hieroglyphic script, art, architecture, mathematics, calendar & astronomical system.  It developed in an area that encompasses Guatemala; peaking 6th century AD.  

​

Incident and Destiny:

Spengler's distinction between the accidental and the critical; both aspects manifest polarity; incident are events, the becoming, which occur but have no or minimal significance; they are accidental, strictly personal experiences.  Destiny are events, the becoming, which profound implications, the Spirit of the Culture manifesting itself.