From Middle Ages to Renaissance

FAIN: FB-12256-74

David B. Thompson
University of Washington (Seattle, WA 98195-1016)

To study the attitudes towards ancient Rome as an index to the intellectual and political history of Italy between the time of Dante and that of Machiavelli. Five major topics will be focused upon: 1) Dante's view of Rome; 2) the classical inspiration of Cola di Rienzo's venture; 3) Petrarch's alleged "rediscovery of pre-imperial Rome;" 3) Pretrarch's alleged "rediscovery of pre-imperial Rome;" 4) Florence as daughter, then heir of Rome; 5) Machiavelli's Discorsi.