<P> Hobbes offered a unique contribution to historical interpretation of the civil war through his Behemoth by connecting the civil war to the motivations of intellectuals who Hobbes reports caused it by trying to spread certain ideas throughout the nation, largely for the sake of displaying their own wisdom and learning . </P> <P> Hobbes held the belief that clerical pretensions had contributed significantly to the trouble during the civil war--"whether those of puritan fundamentalists, papal supremacists or divine right Episcopalians". Hobbes wanted to revoke all of independent power of the clergy and to change the civil system such that they were controlled by the state . </P> <P> Some scholars suggest that Behemoth has not received its due respect as an academic work, being comparatively overlooked and underrated in the shadow of Leviathan . One factor that may have contributed to its lack of reception as a historical work is that it takes the form of a dialogue . While philosophical dialogues are common, historical ones are not . Other factors that hindered its success include King Charles II's refusing its publication and Hobbes' chiefly interpretive approach to the historical narrative . </P> <P> Much can be gleaned about Hobbes as a person from looking at the difficulties he faced while seeking an audience for Behemoth . The essay illuminates a flaw shared by most of Hobbes's political philosophy as well, which is his lack of ability or willingness to empathize with perspectives that largely differed from his own . As his perspective was so much at odds with other views, Hobbes struggled to understand the thinking of most of his potential audience and people in general . For instance, he accredits the Presbyterians and Parliamentarians with "improbably long - planned and wicked ambitions". What's more, "he hardly understands the orthodox Royalists (he was himself a highly unorthodox Royalist) any better, and he makes only limited concessions of sincerity to the religious feelings of the various parties". </P>

Who had more soldiers in the english civil war