Renaissance Discoveries: Quintilian

[@christophermckee7092]

This is excellent, Ross. I’m reading The Bookseller at the moment. I recall reading references to Quintilian during university days years ago. Good job.

[@rossking3163]

Thank you!

[@christinem7990]

Having been inspired by a free University discussion group on the Renaissance - a lockdown offering - I'm busy teaching myself as I much as I can learn about the subject. Your talks are invaluable - thank you so much for posting them. I loved The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt, so I'll be sure to add your book to my little library.

[@rossking3163]

Thank you! I agree - The Swerve is wonderful.

[@avantgardegurl8677]

I'm taking a course on the History of Interior Design and we needed to come up with a point of discussion for our chapter on the Renaissance. I was curious as to what led these Italian philosophers to seek out these manuscripts. Thank you so much for covering this subject in such interesting detail!

[@rossking3163]

One talking point could be why these scholars at this particular point in time-the early 1400s-became interested in the Ancient World. What motivated them to seek out the wisdom of the Ancient Greeks and Romans? The answer (you could argue) would have to do with political and cultural events of the previous century: the plague, the wars, the divisions with the Church, and everything else that made them believe (for good reason) that they were living in a failed society that did not live up to the high standards of the Ancient World. They wished to find in the writings of the Ancients a kind of playbook for a more just, efficient and free society.
Good luck with the assignment, and with your course!

[@adamsteel4098]

What is De Copia? Or de verborum copia?

[@ElliotBrownJingles]

It is a method of learning taught by Erasmus of Rotterdam.