Pagan Imperialisms Julius Evola’s “Esoteric Collaborationism”

Marino D, Reith M (2025)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Aries - Journal for the Study of Western Esotericism Brill

Book Volume: 25

Pages Range: 194-225

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1163/15700593-02502003

Abstract

This article explores two books by the Italian radical thinker Julius Evola (1898–1974): Imperialismo pagano. Il fascismo dinnanzi al pericolo euro-cristiano (1928), written during the Concordat negotiations between Mussolini and the Catholic Church, and Heidnischer Imperialismus (1933), published in the wake of Hitler’s rise to power in Germany. The authors use the events surrounding the publication of these works to critically assess issues in contemporary Evola scholarship. They advocate for a more integrated approach that considers both Evola’s esoteric ideas and political views, challenging the prevailing tendency in current literature to study these aspects in isolation. The article concludes that, contrary to claims made by Evola’s sympathisers, his intellectual trajectory was neither “apolitical” nor “metapolitical”, but is more accurately described as “esoteric collaborationism”.

Authors with CRIS profile

Davide Marino

Additional Organisation(s)

Center for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences Alternative Rationalities and Esoteric Practices from a Global Perspective (CAS-E)

Involved external institutions

Radboud University Nijmegen NL Netherlands (NL)

How to cite

APA:

Marino, D., & Reith, M. (2025). Pagan Imperialisms Julius Evola’s “Esoteric Collaborationism”. Aries - Journal for the Study of Western Esotericism, 25(2), 194-225. https://doi.org/10.1163/15700593-02502003

MLA:

Marino, Davide, and Milan Reith. "Pagan Imperialisms Julius Evola’s “Esoteric Collaborationism”." Aries - Journal for the Study of Western Esotericism 25.2 (2025): 194-225.

BibTeX: Download