Chapter XXIII
Reading edition
CHAPTER XXIII
1443-1508. The golden age of Italian letters and arts93
”” Rich in scholars but poor in genius94
”” Its prosaic tendency94
”” The revival of learning95
”” Promoted by the multiplicity of independent communities97
”” Especially by the petty sovereigns98
”” Adulatory tendency of such literature99
”” A narrow patriotism generated100
”” Taste for classical erudition, philology and grammar101
”” The study of Latin induced pedantry and languid conventionality102
”” The prosaic scholarism of this period103
”” Tending to pagan ideas103
”” The rival philosophies of Aristotle and Plato105
”” Leading to fierce quarrels106
”” Superseding Christian revelation106
”” And eventually shaking Catholic unity107
”” Influence of the Dukes of Urbino on letters107
”” Mediocrity of many authors of local fame108