This essay focuses on Dante’s references to Livy in Convivio IV.v, 11 as well as on some particularly important references to the Roman historian in the second book of the De Monarchia. The author argues that the first reference is most likely derived from the epitome compiled by Livy’s abbreviator Florus, and shows how it is placed at the beginning of a passage that refers to several different historiographical sources, including Agustine. The author therefore suggests that this reference to Livy in the Convivio is not based on Dante’s direct knowledge of the work of the Roman historian, but rather on the information contained in the synthesis by Florus. She also challenges the scholarly consensus on this topic by showing that some references to Livy in the De Monarchia – especially the “programmatic” one in II.iii, 6 – do not appear in the indirect tradition and can only be traced back directly to Livy. This suggests that Dante likely accessed the work of Livy before the composition of his political treatise.
In questo contributo si prendono in considerazione il riferimento a Livio in Convivio IV.v, 11 e alcuni dei riferimenti allo storico romano ritenuti maggiormente significativi nel secondo libro della Monarchia. Si dimostra che il rimando a Livio nel primo trattato è introdotto in riferimento a una ripresa probabilmente dal suo abbreviatore Floro e in apertura di un passaggio in cui si utilizza una tradizione storiografica più articolata e complessa, comprendente anche Agostino. Si propone, di conseguenza, che il rimando a Livio non si basi su una conoscenza diretta dello storico latino ma si fondi sulla sintesi realizzata da Floro. Si dimostra poi che, contrariamente all’opinione vulgata, alcuni riferimenti a Livio nella Monarchia, particolarmente quello programmatico di II.iii, 6, non sono riconducibili in toto alla tradizione indiretta e quindi sembrerebbero suggerire che Dante avesse avuto accesso a questo autore entro la composizione del suo trattato politico.
Dal Convivio alla Monarchia: quale Livio per Dante?
Leyla Maria Gabriella Livraghi
2019-01-01
Abstract
This essay focuses on Dante’s references to Livy in Convivio IV.v, 11 as well as on some particularly important references to the Roman historian in the second book of the De Monarchia. The author argues that the first reference is most likely derived from the epitome compiled by Livy’s abbreviator Florus, and shows how it is placed at the beginning of a passage that refers to several different historiographical sources, including Agustine. The author therefore suggests that this reference to Livy in the Convivio is not based on Dante’s direct knowledge of the work of the Roman historian, but rather on the information contained in the synthesis by Florus. She also challenges the scholarly consensus on this topic by showing that some references to Livy in the De Monarchia – especially the “programmatic” one in II.iii, 6 – do not appear in the indirect tradition and can only be traced back directly to Livy. This suggests that Dante likely accessed the work of Livy before the composition of his political treatise.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
