The Orteguian Theory on the Sportive Origine of the State

Abstract

This study tries to explain Ortega y Gasset's theory about the sports origin of the State, as well as to ascertain its possible theoretical implications on the political philosophy of the thinker from Madrid. In this review of the first historical forms of the State, we will deal especially with the history of the State in Rome, because, according to Ortega, the Roman civilization is the only one that offers historians a thorough knowledge of its life cycle evolution, from its birth to its demise. Precisely from the observation of the Roman State political history we will draw a series of teachings which will be very useful for us to understand and consequently, to be able to rationally analyze the socio-political issues of the times when Ortega lived.