ABSTRACT
As political writer and as a person Christine de Pizan presents certain paradoxes. She was one of the most prolific political writers of the Middle Ages and yet she is virtually unknown to scholars of the history of political thought. In those disciplines where her work has been recognized, especially French literature and women's studies, her political theory has largely been ignored. After her death, Christine's works continued to exhibit considerable popularity, particularly her works for women. There is much evidence that these works were widely disseminated in French and in translation. The core of Christine's political teaching consisted of three components that indirectly shaped or contributed to the future of political ideas: her awareness of human fragility, her view of prudence as self-interest, and her functional view of the state. Christine's uniqueness as a political analyst is a consequence of her awareness of political, social and economic vulnerability.
