The journey begins in , where being "liberal" meant practicing liberalitas (liberality). This was the aristocratic virtue of being a generous, public-minded citizen who prioritized the welfare of the community over selfish interests. Figures like Cicero viewed this generosity as the "bond of human society," essential for maintaining a free republic. The French Birth and German Transformation

In her book The Lost History of Liberalism: From Ancient Rome to the Twenty-First Century , Helena Rosenblatt tells the story of how the concept of "liberalism" was originally a moral philosophy centered on civic duty and the common good, rather than just individual rights.

Rosenblatt argues that modern political liberalism was actually forged in during the French Revolution to protect revolutionary achievements from both radical extremism and conservative backlash. Book Review: The Lost History of Liberalism - LSE Blogs