Abstract

This study investigates Nietzsche's opinion of a select group of historical political leaders: Alcibiades, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Frederick von Hohenstaufen, Cesare Borgia, Frederick the Great, and Napoleon. Part I of the dissertation examines Nietzsche's opinion of each of the political leaders separately, constructing character sketches of each based almost exclusively on Nietzsche's own presentations of these human beings. From there these individual characters are shown to belong to a single type, a type that Nietzsche gives the name of "Caesar," that Nietzsche esteems highly. ;Part II assesses the relative rank of the Caesar type. The Caesar type is compared to the type of artists and is shown to be superior primarily on the grounds that it deals with a more difficult task. Nietzsche's "Lamarckism" is considered, as descent or heritage is shown to have an important bearing on the question of rank. The relation of the Caesar type to the Ubermensch is examined, and the way in which Napoleon and Cesare Borgia can be presented as kinds of Ubermenschen is considered. The Caesar type is compared to the type of the philosopher, and the Caesars are shown to be superior to the philosophers of the past and the models of the philosophers of the future. ;The investigation of Nietzsche's opinion of these human beings uncovers a large number of the characteristics that constitute high rank for Nietzsche as well as showing something of the theoretical problem that the doctrine of the order of rank poses for Nietzsche. Nietzsche is also shown to have a much higher opinion of politics than is generally supposed. Not only does Nietzsche esteem politics highly in its own right, but he seeks in politics some assistance with his theoretical difficulties