Pietro Candido Decembrio
Encyclopedia
Pietro Candido Decembrio (in Latin, Petrus Candidus Decembrius) (1399–1477) was a well-known Italian humanist
and author of the Renaissance, and one of those involved in the rediscovery of ancient literature.
The son of the humanist Uberto Decembrio, he was born in Pavia
, and named after his father's employer Peter of Candia. He was a pupil of his father's friend and teacher Manuel Chrysoloras
in Florence. In 1419 he became secretary to Filippo Maria Visconti
, Duke of Milan, and served in this post for nearly thirty years, continuing as secretary of the Ambrosian Republic after the Duke's death. When Francesco Sforza came to power in the city, Decembrio lost his position. He then found work in the chancery of Pope Nicholas V
, but with several other humanists, he left after the accession of Pope Callixtus III
and travelled instead to the Neapolitan court of Alfonso the Great
of Aragon.
After Alfonso's death in 1458 he returned to Rome as secretary to Pius II
and then to Milan in 1460. In 1466 he was granted a pension by the Duke of Ferarra
. In 1477 he died in Milan and is buried in the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio
.
He produced a Latin version of Plato's Republic and attempted a continuation of Virgil's Aeneid
. His grave lists 127 works.
Renaissance humanism
Renaissance humanism was an activity of cultural and educational reform engaged by scholars, writers, and civic leaders who are today known as Renaissance humanists. It developed during the fourteenth and the beginning of the fifteenth centuries, and was a response to the challenge of Mediæval...
and author of the Renaissance, and one of those involved in the rediscovery of ancient literature.
The son of the humanist Uberto Decembrio, he was born in Pavia
Pavia
Pavia , the ancient Ticinum, is a town and comune of south-western Lombardy, northern Italy, 35 km south of Milan on the lower Ticino river near its confluence with the Po. It is the capital of the province of Pavia. It has a population of c. 71,000...
, and named after his father's employer Peter of Candia. He was a pupil of his father's friend and teacher Manuel Chrysoloras
Manuel Chrysoloras
Manuel Chrysoloras was a pioneer in the introduction of Greek literature to Western Europe during the late middle ages....
in Florence. In 1419 he became secretary to Filippo Maria Visconti
Filippo Maria Visconti
Filippo Maria Visconti was ruler of Milan from 1412 to 1447.-Biography:Filippo Maria Visconti, who had become nominal ruler of Pavia in 1402, succeeded his assassinated brother Gian Maria Visconti as Duke of Milan in 1412. They were the sons of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Gian Maria's predecessor, by...
, Duke of Milan, and served in this post for nearly thirty years, continuing as secretary of the Ambrosian Republic after the Duke's death. When Francesco Sforza came to power in the city, Decembrio lost his position. He then found work in the chancery of Pope Nicholas V
Pope Nicholas V
Pope Nicholas V , born Tommaso Parentucelli, was Pope from March 6, 1447 to his death in 1455.-Biography:He was born at Sarzana, Liguria, where his father was a physician...
, but with several other humanists, he left after the accession of Pope Callixtus III
Pope Callixtus III
Pope Callixtus III , né Alfons de Borja, was Pope from April 8, 1455 to his death in 1458.-Biography:...
and travelled instead to the Neapolitan court of Alfonso the Great
Alfonso V of Aragon
Alfonso the Magnanimous KG was the King of Aragon , Valencia , Majorca, Sardinia and Corsica , and Sicily and Count of Barcelona from 1416 and King of Naples from 1442 until his death...
of Aragon.
After Alfonso's death in 1458 he returned to Rome as secretary to Pius II
Pope Pius II
Pope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini was Pope from August 19, 1458 until his death in 1464. Pius II was born at Corsignano in the Sienese territory of a noble but decayed family...
and then to Milan in 1460. In 1466 he was granted a pension by the Duke of Ferarra
Borso d'Este
thumb|Borso d'Este, attributed to [[Vicino da Ferrara]], [[Pinacoteca]] of the [[Castello Sforzesco|Sforza Castle]] in [[Milan]], [[Italy]].Borso d'Este was the first Duke of Ferrara, which he ruled from 1450 until his death...
. In 1477 he died in Milan and is buried in the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio
Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio
The Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio is a church in Milan, northern Italy.-History:One of the most ancient churches in Milan, it was built by St. Ambrose in 379-386, in an area where numerous martyrs of the Roman persecutions had been buried. The first name of the church was in fact Basilica...
.
He produced a Latin version of Plato's Republic and attempted a continuation of Virgil's Aeneid
Aeneid
The Aeneid is a Latin epic poem, written by Virgil between 29 and 19 BC, that tells the legendary story of Aeneas, a Trojan who travelled to Italy, where he became the ancestor of the Romans. It is composed of roughly 10,000 lines in dactylic hexameter...
. His grave lists 127 works.