Tradition, Principally with Reference to Mythology and the Law of Nations

Tradition, Principally with Reference to Mythology and the Law of Nations by Baron John Francis Arundell Arundell of Wardour is a sweeping intellectual exploration of how ancient traditions—especially those preserved in mythology—intersect with early legal and international frameworks. Written with a deep reverence for historical continuity, the book aims to validate tradition as a legitimate form of knowledge and a source of enduring truths, contrary to the growing dominance of modern empiricism in the 19th century. Beginning with an investigation into the "Law of Nations" and the "Law of Nature," Arundell systematically connects ancient customs, myths, and religious beliefs to fundamental legal and societal structures. He devotes extensive attention to comparative mythology, notably Greek, Assyrian, and Biblical narratives (including those of Prometheus, Noah, and Oedipus), arguing that such stories are not merely allegorical but repositories of civilizational memory. Arundell contrasts traditional chronologies with scientific historical models, seeking reconciliation between faith-based narratives and archaeology, particularly regarding Egypt, Assyria, and the Great Flood. In doing so, he challenges the relativistic and reductionist tendencies of contemporary historians and anthropologists like Sir John Lubbock and Sir Henry Maine. His work includes reflections on diluvian myths from Africa and the Americas, revealing their common symbolic structures and moral frameworks. By grounding mythology in jurisprudence and international customs, this book provides a rare 19th-century Catholic conservative perspective that attempts to harmonize revelation, reason, and law. It is as much a defense of moral universals and divine order as it is a contribution to mythological and legal scholarship.