Question 3

What ancient texts were rediscovered in the early Renaissance; how and why were they influential?

Middle Ages had known many ancient writers Latin and Greek but several main factors determined the limited use they made of them:

     Lack of full texts prevented range of classical accomplishment from being evident (partial, corrupted)

     Medieval world view oriented toward feudal relationships in church and state, emphasizing monolithic authority, piety, and above all practicality in seeking perceived ends.

     Classical sources were applied to Christian, ethical purposes rather than seen in their own light--Plato fit in with "Pre-Christian" philosophy/theology; Aristotle's authority on logic and dialectic endorsed his authority in ethics, moral psychology; Cicero looked to as an authority on duty and ethics, his oratorical skill less important

In 14 cen. Italy, discoveries of MSS and new translations that “put pieces together” had monumental impact on public culture as well as world of ideas; First Aristotle, then Plato, then Quintilian and Cicero:

New Latin translations of Aristotle in 13th cen. (by William of Moerbecke) included the Rhetoric but it was not influential as rhetoric but rather ethics and psychology.

Leonardo Bruni (chancellor of Florence) 14th cen translated Gorgias, Phaedrus, other dialogues into Latin, also speeches of Demosthenes

Early 15th cen sees rash of discoveries and recoveries--

     Poggio Bracciolini discovers manuscripts of 8 speeches of Cicero unknown in middle ages.

     Paydirt in 1416—Bracciolini discovers complete MS of Institutio Oratoria, commentaries on Cicero, other works (monastery at St. Gall in Switzerland)

     More pay dirt in 1421--Gerardo Landriani discovers complete versions of De oratore, Orator, and previously unknown Brutus

Latin rhetorical corpus now reconstructed for scholars and students to work with

Greek rhetorical texts also recovered through work of transplanted Byzantine scholars and Latin scholars seeking works in the East.  Most influence from the Second Sophistic era; had significant impact on educational practice

     Dionysius of Halicarnassus: On Composition

     Hermogenes: On Ideas

     Demetrius: On Style

     "Longinus": On the Sublime

Later 15th cen sees completion of reassembly of most major ancient "greatest hits" works -- Marsilio Ficino translates all of Plato into Latin

Summary:

Humanists knew there were MSS out there--concerted efforts to recover writings in West and East led to series of discoveries.

(Eastern connection often overlooked by West Europeans, but Ren couldn't have happened without Byzantine contribution)

Political, social, intellectual currents came together with the catalyst of ancient thought and expression in newly rediscovered corpi--the result was a flowering of literary and rhetorical culture (no doubt also stimulating experimentation in the plastic and graphic arts) in southern Europe we call the Italian Renaissance.