Cameron, Early Modern Europe, xvii-xxxi, 1-28.

1. What does "early modern" mean in an historical context? How does Cameron try to make sense of and apply this term? Is the theme of emerging modernity (xix) evident in the Prologue?

Note the title of the Prologue: "Europe and the World Around." This is an apt title because Pagden constantly urges us to think of Europe in a global or international perspective. With this in mind, consider the following:

2. Identify and explain the historical significance of Strabo, polis, civitas, "lord of all the world," "lord of all of Euorpe," universal monarchy, perpetual peace.

3. What are the mythic origins of Europe?

4. Which cultural phonomena formed the basis of Europe's superiority complex? Upon whom did Europe look as inferior? Why?

5. Which cultural phenomena gave Europe a sense of unity?

6. Pagden writes that Europe "was, and always had been, a highly unstable term" (12). Why is this the case?

7. Identify and explain the historical significance of the images on pp. 17, 20.