MARIANA, JUAN (1536-1623).
A distinguished Spanish historian and scholar. born at Talavera. In 1554 he entered the Order of the Jesuits. early studies in languages and theology were so brilliant that he was ap pointed to teach in the schools of his order, first at Rome (where the celebrated Bel{aniline [q.v.] was one of his scholars) in 1561, afterwards in Sicily in 1565, and finally in Paris in 1569. After a residence there of seven years he settled at Toledo, where he resided till his death, at an extreme old age. llis retirement, however, was passed in sustained literary activity. From an early period he devoted himself to writing a his tory of Spain (1592-1605). The original of this history was Latin, the elegance and purity of which have seemed for Mariana a place among the most distinguished of modern Latinists. Mariana himself published a Spanish translation, which still remains one of the classics of the language. Among his other productions are a scholia of the Bible and an edition of the works of Isidore of Seville. But the most celebrated of
the works of Mariana is his well-known treatise, Rege it le, yis Institutione (1599), in which is raised the important question whether it is law ful to overthrow and kill a tyrant. Mariana de cides that it is right for every man to do so. even where the tyrant is not a usurper. hut a lawful king, and esteems Jacque. Cl•nient (q.v.) equally with Brutus. This tyrtumicide doctrine drew much odium upon the entire Order of Jesuits: but the same doctrine.; were taught in almost the words by several of the Protestant contem poraries of Mariana (consult Hallam. Introduc tion to the Literature of Europe. Sth ed.. London, 1355 51;1. while, on the other hand, Mariana's hook was condemned by the general. Acquariva. Mariana's views on other subjects were broad minded and liberal.