EuroCult · Cultural exchanges, network and community in early humanist Europe. The case of Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini

Cultural exchanges, network and community in early humanist Europe. The case of Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini

EuroCult intended to illuminate the figure of Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini (1405-1464), who at the end of his life became Pope Pius II. Initially a humble lay secretary to a cardinal during the Council of Basel (1431-1439), he became secretary to the Emperor, bishop, cardinal and pope (1458-1464). Before being elected pope Piccolomini travelled throughout Europe, visiting numerous important personalities of his age, including popes and emperors, and engaging in correspondence with major figures such as ambassadors from many European countries, cardinals, and bishops, as well as minor personalities such as notaries, teachers, and copyists. By researching the intellectual communities and networks with which he interacted and in which his works were read in the 15th and 16th centuries, this research also reevaluated three broader phenomena that have shaped our current understanding of the first half of 15th century: the wide spread of literary models and of religious and political ideas throughout northern Europe thanks to humanism; the importance of institutional contexts not usually associated with humanism (such as religious centres, universities, and courts connected with religious men as well as the laity); and the importance of socio-political and religious aims for contemporary humanist writers. From these innovative perspectives the project made an important contribution to understanding of the cultural foundations of modern Europe. The project aimed 1) to define Piccolomini’s role as a literary model within European Renaissance humanism in his use of Latin and rhetoric, and to reconsider the network created by his letter exchanges, and his religious and political engagement; 2) to demonstrate that the spread of a cultural model in the first part of the 15th century was promoted by people who were also engaged in religious and political debate and activities; 3) and that his correspondence with chancellors, university professors, and prominent political and religious figures is an essential key for understanding the cultural exchanges taking place throughout Europe in the period. All of these objectives have been met, with some of the most important results already published in articles or soon to be published in edited volumes. .

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз