Lokaj, Rodney ed., trans., Petrarch's Ascent of Mount Ventoux, The Familiaris IV, I (Roma: Edizioni dell' Ateneo)
Text name(s):
Number of pages of primary source text: 0
Author(s):
Dates: 0 - 0
Archival Reference:
Original Language(s):
- Latin
Translation:
- Translated into English.
Translation Comments:
Geopolitical Region(s):
- Italy
County/Region: Florence; Tuscany
Record Types:
- Letter
Subject Headings:
- Classics / Humanism
- Clergy - Monks, Nuns, Friars
- Clergy - Priests, Bishops, Canons
- Education / Universities
- Philosophy / Theology
- Piety
Apparatus:
- Index
- Appendix
- Bibliography
- Introduction
Comments:
Petrarch, sometimes called the Father of Humanism, was a northern Italian man of letters who had great interest in writing Latin in a classical style and in reconciling classical learning with Christian faith. This style is reflected in his many writings, and particularly in his letters, of which this volume contains an example. Petrarch’s account of his ascent of Mount Ventoux, a mountain in southern France overlooking Italy, with his brother Gherardo, a Camoldolese monk, is often cited as a prime example of Renaissance ideas and attitudes toward the active and contemplative lives. This letter, designated Familiaris IV, I is part of a highly structured collection of his correspondence which Petrarch organized himself, often skewing dates and addressees for effect. The familiaris are letter he wrote to friends and family, and this one thus is the first letter of the fourth book.
Introduction Summary:
The editor’s lengthy (201 pp) introduction provides an overview of the epistolary or letter-writing genre before Petrarch, including the split between Ciceronian and Senecan letter-writing, which influenced Petrarch’s own style. The editor meticulously analyzes the letter’s structure, addressee, and its characters in terms of Petrarch’s beloved notion of romanitas (roman-ness) and the Augustinian and Franciscan influence upon Petrarch’s style. Finally, he outlines the manuscript tradition, abbreviations and editions,
Cataloger: MCB
