Legitimacy

by Robert

Now, an aristocracy, when it comes to doubt that its empire is legitimate, either no longer has the courage to defend it, or defends it badly.

— Numa Denis Fustel de Coulanges, The Ancient City, translated by Willard Small (French original 1830, English translation 1873)

Maybe this is the way it worked in the ancient world, but I doubt it. I’m pretty sure that at least in the modern world the opposite happens. It seems to me that the aristocracy worries considerably less about legitimacy than about defending empire and privilege and remaining in power. It does, however, assert that the fact that it has power is proof that that power is legitimate.
— Me