‘It is both an elegant proverb, and among all others, by the writings of many excellent authors, full often and solemnly used, Dulce bellum inexpertis, that is to say, War is sweet to them that know it not.’
War ravaged Europe during the late Middle Ages and the various courts of European countries were passionate to attain the glories that came with war. Erasmus, being a humanist, believed the opposite of the glory-seeking aristocrats and preached that war was barbaric, unchristian, and fratricidal. This treatise against war documents Erasmus’ strong pacifist ideals.
Desiderius Erasmus was a Dutch philosopher and humanist considered to be one of the greatest scholars of the Northern Renaissance.