The evolution of the concept of absolute and relative sovereignty in the works of scholars of antiquity and the Middle Ages

The subject of the study is the evolution of the concept of sovereignty in the political and legal thought of antiquity, the Roman period, and the Middle Ages, as well as the formation of classical doctrines of absolute and relative sovereignty in the works of modern thinkers. The paper analyzes the initial concepts of supreme authority, autonomy, and independence of the political community that emerged in ancient philosophy, including the categories of autarky and political freedom, as well as their subsequent transformation into legal constructs of Roman law, such as imperium and jus imperii. Special attention is given to the theological foundations of limiting power in medieval doctrine, particularly in the teachings of Thomas Aquinas, as well as the transition to a systematic legal understanding of sovereignty in the works of Jean Bodin. Additionally, the contribution of Hugo Grotius to the formation of the concept of relative sovereignty, based on the combination of the state’s supreme authority with its international legal obligations, is explored. The research is based on the use of historical-legal, comparative-legal, and formal-legal methods, which ensure the analysis of the evolution of the concept of sovereignty and the identification of the continuity of political and legal ideas. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive analysis of the formation of the concepts of absolute and relative sovereignty from the perspective of their historical-legal continuity – from ancient philosophy to modern international legal doctrines. It is substantiated that the key elements of contemporary understanding of sovereignty, including the supremacy of power, state independence, and normative limitations, have deep historical roots and developed gradually. It is established that ancient thought laid the foundations of internal and external sovereignty, Roman law provided for their legal institutionalization, and medieval doctrine formed the understanding of normative limits of power. It is shown that Jean Bodin's theory, despite emphasizing absoluteness, contained elements of limitation, which contributed to the development of the concept of relative sovereignty. The key role of Hugo Grotius in justifying the combination of sovereignty with the international obligations of states is highlighted. It is concluded that contemporary international law enshrines a model of functional and limited sovereignty, in which the independence of the state is realized through a system of mutual rights and obligations.