Description
Book SynopsisThe Renaissance Battle for Rome examines the rhetorical battle fought simultaneously between a wide variety of parties (individuals, groups, authorities) seeking prestige or legitimacy through the legacy of ancient Romea battle over the question of whose claims to this legacy were most legitimate. Distinguishing four domainspower, morality, cityscape and literaturein which ancient Rome represented a particularly powerful example, this book traces the contours of this rhetorical battle across Renaissance Europe, based on a broad selection of Humanist Latin Poetry. It shows how humanist poets negotiated different claims on behalf of others and themselves in their work, acting both as spin doctors and new Romans, while also undermining competing claims to this same idealized past. By so doing this book not only offers a new understanding of several aspects of the Renaissance that are usually considered separately, but ultimately allows us to understand Renaissance culture as a constant ne
Trade ReviewThe Renaissance Battle for Rome as a Renaissance sequel to Edwards' seminal book. B. displays an impressive level of scholarship...The book is enhanced by nearly thirty illustrations, many of which are in colour. The book will be of interest to scholars of the Renaissance, and those interested in classical reception studies. * Giles Gilbert, Classics for All *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Conventions Introduction: Forging Privileged Links to an Idealized Past 1: A New Golden Age. Rome Reclaims her Ancient Past 2: Competing Appropriations of Rome's Empire without End 3: Weaponized Images of Roman Virtue and Vice 4: The Symbolic Resonances of Rome's Cityscape 5: The Humanist Poets as "New Romans" Epilogue Appendix of Humanist Authors Bibliography Illustrations Index locorum General Index
