Libertas: The Goddess of Liberty
Libertas, the Roman goddess and personification of liberty, is deeply rooted in Roman mythology. Temples dedicated to Libertas were found on the Palatine and Aventine Hills, two of the seven hills on which ancient Rome was built. A modern symbolic representation of this deity is the famous Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. Libertas is also depicted on Swiss coins, including the 5, 10, and 20 Rappen pieces.
Libertas in History: The Republic of Ragusa
The Republic of Ragusa (modern-day Dubrovnik) achieved success through trade rather than conquest. They sailed under a white flag featuring the word “Libertas” (Latin for freedom). This flag was adopted when the republic abolished slave trading in 1418, demonstrating their high regard for liberty.
Modern Usage of “Liberal”
The term “liberal” has various modern applications:
- Political parties, such as the Liberal Party of Australia
- Forms of government, like liberal democracy
- Educational concepts, such as liberal arts
Liberal arts, as defined by Encyclopædia Britannica, refers to a curriculum focused on general knowledge and intellectual development, contrasting with professional or technical education. In classical times, it denoted education for freemen as opposed to slaves. Medieval universities taught seven liberal arts: grammar, rhetoric, logic (the Trivium), and geometry, arithmetic, music, astronomy (the Quadrivium).Liberalism encompasses a broad range of governmental ideas and theories prioritizing individual liberty as the primary political goal.In modern political philosophy, liberty generally refers to an individual’s ability to act according to their own will.
Other Uses of “Libero”
- In football (soccer): A versatile type of center back
- In volleyball: A player specializing in defensive skills
- In media: An Italian daily newspaper directed by Vittorio Feltri