Words and Deeds in Renaissance Rome: Trials Before the Papal Magistrates comments upon the transcripts of trials held in Rome in the 16th century, a transitional period leading up to the Reformation of the Catholic Church. The authors Thomas V. and Elizabeth S. Cohen set out to use these documents to illustrate common occurrences, beliefs and values between the years 1540 and 1575, a time of major political and theological revolution. The work presents nine accounts of people tried before the Papal Magistrates in Rome, each case formatted as a different chapter. The dialogue follows several pages of commentary analyzing significant concepts and how it exhibits social values. In the first case, two noble churchmen instruct their servants …show more content…
They are not condensed or abridged in any way, and although the accuracy of the notary's record cannot be guaranteed, the source is as valid as possible for the time of the trials. The source text is not provided in the original language, and the authors appear to have made the English translation themselves, something that could open the door to manipulation or tendentious argumentation. Moreover, translated phrases can prove vague or ambiguous. For example, the authors use the word "heatedly" to represent the Italian word "furia", which actually covers a range of emotions such as anger, haste, and sexual excitement. This can leave the reader's interpretation of the meaning too narrow or broad, and affect the historical accuracy of the translated documents. Fortunately, the section "Notes” is a useful tool for understanding the authors' translations, clarifying and legitimizing the translated …show more content…
The authors include works on the Renaissance and early modern Rome, court records in early modern Italy, readings on issues arising in the trials, works on social history that make use of court records, and finally on the role of honour in Mediterranean societies, all relevant to the topic being discussed. However, they include only a select bibliography, which lists only works written in English. This eliminates some sourcing of background information that could be provided to enhance understanding for the reader. Additionally, it is interesting that the authors of the book wrote many of the listed works. In light of the specifically stated aim to interpret "the beliefs, codes, everyday speech, and personal transactions of a world that is radically different from our own" , a broader selection of readings might increase the reader's confidence that the work is impartial and free of personal
In the book, Giovanni and Lusanna, by Gene Bucker, he discusses the scandalous actions of a Florentine woman taking a wealthy high status man to court over the legality of their marriage. Published in 1988, the book explains the legal action taken for and against Lusanna and Giovanni, the social affects placed on both persons throughout their trial, and the roles of both men and women during the time. From the long and complicated trial, it can be inferred that women’s places within Florentine society were limited compared to their male counterparts and that women’s affairs should remain in the home. In this paper, I will examine the legal and societal place of women in Florentine society during the Renaissance. Here, I will argue that women were the “merchandise” of humanity and their main objective was to produce sons.
“I’ll be out of here and away from all you knaves for one time anyway, as not a month will pass before you’ll see whether I’m nobody or a somebody.” The story of Bianco Alfani reflected the nature of 14th century Florentine society where, as Alfani remarked, the election to public office could make or destroy a person. In late 14th century and early 15th century Florence, decreased population and expanding commerce provided a favorable environment for ambitious individuals. The real life examples of Buonaccorso Pitti and Gregorio Dati demonstrated the positive role of ambition in Florence. Pitti, a nobleman had an extremely successful career, partaking in military campaigns, holding public office in Florence and being an ambassador to foreign courts. Gregorio Dati, the grandson of purse venders, engaged in commerce, rising in social standing which culminated with his election to public office. Holding office was a definitive sign of success and recognition in Florence. In contrast was the tale Bianco Alfani, a deemed man unworthy of office. As told by Piero Veneziano, Alfani was the chief jailor in Florence who was duped into believing he had been named captain of the town of Norcia. Alfani publicly made a fool of himself, spending all his money and creating a great fanfare over his supposed appointment. Comparing the lives of Pitti and Dati to the story of Bianco Alfani illustrates how economic and social change in 14th century Florence produced a culture centered on reputation and commerce. For men like Pitti and Dati, who flourished within the constraints of Florentine society, their reward was election to office, a public mark of acceptance and social standing. Those who were ambitious but failed to abide by the values o...
"Roman Legal Tradition and the Compilation of Justinian." The Robbins Collection. University of California, n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2014.
Livy’s The Rise of Rome serves as the ultimate catalogue of Roman history, elaborating on the accomplishments of each king and set of consuls through the ages of its vast empire. In the first five books, Livy lays the groundwork for the history of Rome and sets forth a model for all of Rome to follow. For him, the “special and salutary benefit of the study of history is to behold evidence of every sort of behaviour set forth as on a splendid memorial; from it you may select for yourself and for your country what to emulate, from it what to avoid, whether basely begun or basely concluded.” (Livy 4). Livy, however, denies the general populace the right to make the same sort of conclusions that he made in constructing his histories. His biased representation of Romulus and Tarquin Superbus, two icons of Roman history, give the readers a definite model of what a Roman should be, instead of allowing them to come to their own conclusion.
The techniques used when prosecuting a criminal in the Renaissance time period were much different than the ones used today. The investigations that were held were made judicially to get the best results (Brackett). This has influenced the way we perform investigations today. If they found
Witchcraft trials were prevalent throughout medieval history, especially throughout the continents of North America and Europe. The propose of these witchcraft trials was to identify those that appeared to be practicing witchcraft, place them on trial, and ultimately punish them for their alleged heretical beliefs and behaviors. These hunts and trials were often sanctioned by high ranking members of the church. One such high ranking supporter was Pope Innocent VIII, who not only acted as the approving authority, but also encouraged the trials to take place in order to cleanse the world of heretics and nonbelievers. With such strong supporters as Pope Innocent VIII, it is no wonder that others began creating their own guides outlining exactly
A rediscover of their history and recognition of early Greek philosophers changed the way that the influential families and Princes, in Italy, considered themselves. Their way of thinking of the Devine and need to promote one’s own aspirations through sponsorship of the arts, as well as, civic duty became not only fashionable but important to progress in the city states. Although Donatello’s David and Botticelli’s Primavera are master pieces in their own right, their influence on future generations of artists cannot be ignored. The spark that ignited the fire which we call the Renaissance was a transformation of societies thinking and values to a Humanistic approach to one duties to society and the church. These two works are a reflection of the changing attitudes which would eventually change all of
Marcel Le Glay, Jean-Louis Voisin, Yann Le Bohec. A History of Rome. West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.
... Austin: University of Texas Press, 1997. Hopkins, Keith. A. A. Death and Renewal: Sociological Studies in Roman History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983 Johnston, Harold Whetstone. The Private Life of the Romans.
Shelton, J.A. (1998). As the Romans Did: A Sourcebook in Roman Social History. (2nd ed.) New York: Oxford University Press.
In this brief monograph, we shall be hunting down and examining various creatures from the bestiary of Medieval/Renaissance thought. Among these are the fierce lion of imperious, egotistical power, a pair of fantastic peacocks, one of vanity, one of preening social status, and the docile lamb of humility. The lion and the peacocks are of the species known as pride, while the lamb is of an entirely different, in fact antithetical race, that of humility and forgiveness. The textual regions we shall be exploring include the diverse expanses, from palace to heath, of William Shakespeare, the dark, sinister Italy of John Webster, and the perfumed lady's chambers of Ben Jonson and Robert Herrick.
Walsh, M. & Davis, B. ed. Proclaiming Justice and Peace: Papal Documents from ‘Rerum Novarum’ through ‘Centesimus Annus’. London: Collins, 1991.
11 Mar. 2012. Virtus: Moral Limitations of the Political Sphere in the Middle Ages. Thesis. Bielefeld
---. "8- Family History in the Roman North-West." The Roman Family in the Empire: Rome, Italy, and Beyond. Ed. Michele George. Oxford, England: Oxford UP, 2005. 231-54. Questia School. Web. 5 May 2014.
Print. The. Weisberg, Richard H. "Antonio's Legalistic Cruelty: Interdisciplinarity And The Merchant Of Venice'." College Literature 25.1 (1998): 12.