Humanist Educational Treatises

by Craig W. Kallendorf (Translator), Leonardo Bruni (Contributor), Battista Guarino (Contributor)

The cycle of disciplines now known as the humanities emerged in their modern form during the Italian Renaissance as the result of an educational movement begun by humanist teachers, writers, and scholars of the early Quattrocento. The movement argued for the usefulness of classical literature as an instrument for training young men and women, not only in the arts of language and eloquence, but also in civic virtue and practical wisdom. This volume contains four of the most important theoretical statements that emerged from the early humanists’ efforts to reform medieval education.

The four texts are Pier Paolo Vergerio, “The Character and Studies Befitting a Free-Born Youth”; Leonardo Bruni, “The Study of Literature”; Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini (Pope Pius II), “The Education of Boys”; and Battista Guarino, “A Program of Teaching and Learning.” The Vergerio and Guarino texts appear in English for the first time.

Genres: History, Education, Renaissance, Nonfiction, Philosophy

384 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2002

About the author

Craig W. Kallendorf is Professor of Modern and Classical Languages at Texas A&M University and the author of Vergil and the Myth of Venice: Books and Readers in the Italian Renaissance.

Reviews

[Jazmín · Rating 4 out of 5]

"it is necessary to read and comprehend a great deal, and to bestow great pains on the philosophers, the poets, the orators and historians and all the other writers. for thus comes that full and sufficient knowledge we need to appear eloquent, well-rounded, refined, and widely cultivated."

oh yeah, no pressure. i can't believe op is roasting while 500 years dead. -(history class)

[Dami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for "The Renaissance" class, I had to take last semester.

[Dami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humanist Educational Treatises required reading for my history class.

[Mystie Winckler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for my NSA class.

[Caleb Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so glad that this volume (and entire series!) exists. A fine addition to the shelves of anyone interested in humanist educational thought.

[Brent Pinkall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful stuff. These are the four most widely read treatises on education during the Renaissance. They are interesting on a number of levels. From a historical perspective, I enjoyed seeing how these men summarized and synthesized the long tradition of liberal arts education. I especially enjoyed the treasure trove of historical allusions. From a practical perspective, I appreciate how two of these men emphasize the importance of studying martial arts in addition to liberal arts. Classical education in the West after Plato tended to marginalize physical education, and classical schools today do the same. These essays challenge that paradigm. Milton in his treatise on education also spends significant time discussing the importance of studying martial arts. In addition to curriculum, these essays also discuss other important aspects of training up children, such as study habits and moral habits. Some of them also challenge certain ancient views (e.g. "Quintilian says students should do X, but I think he is wrong because Y."). This is a good reminder that the tradition of classical education does not mean blindly following the practices of the ancients but sifting the wheat from the chaff. These essays also occasionally offer contrary views, which again drives home the point that classical education is not a monolithic paradigm but a dynamic one. A helpful and worthwhile read for any classical educator.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Renaissance encompassed many spheres of life, but perhaps its most far-reaching effect was a transformation of Europe's educational goals, theory, and practice. It achieved this because several of its foremost representatives were both pedagogical theorists and influential teachers. This volume contains four foundational texts from the Italian Renaissance. A solid introduction, attractive format, and excellent translation make this an essential resource for scholars working on the Renaissance and/or the history of education.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fundamental texts in understanding the philosophy of liberal arts education in the West.

[Jonathan]

None

[Mills College Library]

370.11209 H9188 2008

[Andrew Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful way to understand the Renaissance education and history.