Notable Men and Women of Our Time

by Paolo Giovio, Kenneth Gouwens (Translator)

Written in the aftermath of the catastrophic Sack of Rome in 1527, the historian Paolo Giovio's dialogue provides an informed perspective on the event from an intimate friend of Pope Clement VII. The work is also remarkable for its discussions of literary style and the much-debated question whether the vernacular could rival or surpass Latin as a vehicle for literary expression. It discusses authors whom Giovio knew personally, such as Ariosto, Castiglione, Machiavelli, Sannazaro, and Vittoria Colonna. The dialogues also contain an extensive survey of Italian noblewomen, shedding new light on their careers and cultural achievements. This volume contains a fresh edition of the Latin text and the first translation of the work into English.

Genres: History

784 pages, Hardcover

Published April 22, 2013

About the author

Paolo Giovio (also spelled Paulo Jovio; Latin: Paulus Jovius) was an Italian physician, historian and biographer, and prelate.
He is chiefly known as the author of a celebrated work of contemporary history, Historiarum sui temporis libri XLV, of a collection of lives of famous men, Vitae virorum illustrium (1549‑57), and of Elogia virorum bellica virtute illustrium, (Florence, 1554), which may be translated as Praise of Men Illustrious for Courage in War (1554). He is best remembered as a chronicler of the Italian Wars. His eyewitness accounts of many of the battles form one of the most significant primary sources for the period.

Reviews

[Mills College Library]

945.63092 G514 2013