THE INFLUENCE OF ANTIQUITY ON THE VIEWS FORMATION AND ACTIVITY OF THOMAS JEFFERSON

The article is dedicated to the influence of antiquity on the formation of Thomas Jefferson’s system of philosophical, political, scientific and artistic views. Specificity of philosophical and cultural space of Europe and North America is considered, as well as conditions of education and personal development of Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson’s works are analyzed, direct citations and references to antique philosophers and writers are noted, likewise political ideas of Thomas Jefferson, that are grounded on antique history. Tendency to identification antique history, philosophy and literature as sample and guidance in publicistic and literary works of Thomas Jefferson is pointed out. In the article are revised influences of antiquity on the following spheres of Thomas Jefferson’s activity: organization of education, law, governance, architecture. In the educational development Thomas Jefferson propagated broad studying of antique history and classical languages that might be the basis for education and personality development. Antique examples were the foundation of Thomas Jefferson’s ideas about citizenship, nation and slavery, principles of the classical republicanism and organization of public administration are grounded on the same samples. Thomas Jefferson’s personal ambivalence in the questions of patriotism as dualism in relations “citizen of the state – citizen of the USA” is noted. Some attention is paid to the architectural works of Thomas Jefferson. He followed the best antique masterpieces in his own architectural projects and laid the foundation of American classicism in the architecture of 19th century.