Commentary on Alfonsi regis dicta aut facta memoratu digna by Antonio Panormita

Fulvio Delle Donne; Enea Silvio Piccolomini

Commentary on Alfonsi regis dicta aut facta memoratu digna by Antonio Panormita: introduction, edition, and translation by Fulvio Delle Donne

Authors

Fulvio Delle Donne

University of Naples Federico II

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9130-0820

Enea Silvio Piccolomini

Keywords:

Humanism, Monarchical Humanism, Crusade, Alfonso the Magnanimous, Panormita

Synopsis

Series: Digital Humanities, 9

Pages: 232

Language: Italian, Latin

Published: 2024

ISBN: 978-88-31309-37-0

Abstract: On April 22, 1456, Enea Silvio Piccolomini (the future Pope Pius II) completed his Commentary on Alfonsi regis dicta aut facta memoratu digna, which had been written the previous year (immediately following August 26) by Antonio Beccadelli, known as Panormita. Panormita was a prominent figure at the court of Alfonso the Magnanimous, King of Aragon and Naples, and a key organizer of his “propaganda.” The atmosphere was fraught with fears and expectations: on May 29, 1453, Constantinople had fallen after a long siege by Mehmed II, and King Alfonso had recently made a solemn promise to lead a crusade against the Turk.

Drawing inspiration from an ideologically structured text, such as that of Panormita, Piccolomini sought not only to exert political pressure for the realization of a crusade – which ultimately remained unfulfilled – but also to contribute to the development of a new literary form. This was the narratio brevis with a humorous tone, which was being redefined during those years. It evolved not only through the original works of contemporaries like Poggio Bracciolini and Panormita but also under the influence of illustrious examples found in ancient Greek authors (such as Plutarch and Xenophon), whose works were being retranslated at the time. These classical authors were regarded as exemplary models for defining the political and ideological virtues of the ideal prince.

Digital edition in XML and PDF, with the first italian translation.

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Author Biographies

Fulvio Delle Donne, University of Naples Federico II

Fulvio Delle Donne is Full Professor of Medieval and Humanistic Latin Literature at the University of Napoles Federico II. His extensive scientific production combines philological-literary and historical methods and interests, covering a wide chronological arch (VI-XVI sec). His bibliography includes many critical editions and monographic volumes for prestigious publishers and numerous articles for international scientific journals. He is the President of the European Center for Studies on Aragonese Humanism and Renaissance - CESURA (www.cesura.info).

Enea Silvio Piccolomini

Enea Silvio Piccolomini, later pope Pius II (1405-1464), is one of the most important authors of Humanism.