Chiaravacci - Fastorum - 1554

First and only edition of this curious little poem divided into the twelve months of the year after the model of Ovidian Fasti. Each month is introduced with an etymological note and an invocation to both pagan and Christian inspiring characters. The work is also spiced with numerous references to historical, biblical and legendary events as well as philosophical digressions. First and only original posthumous edition of this poem inspired by Ovid's Fasti, the work of this author originally from Pizzighettone. While studying between Lodi and Cremona he became a good connoisseur of Latin and Greek literature as well as of Christian literature. This posthumous edition appears to have been edited by Giangiacomo Gabiani, a teacher from Lodi, who dedicated the poem to Pope Paul III. Following the scheme of Ovidian Fasti, the work is divided into twelve months. The etymology and history of each month are given with invocations to pagan and Christian characters, events taken from the Old and New Testaments, descriptions of historical figures and numerous cosmological references. There are also many references to historical facts such as the wars between the Duchy of Milan and the Venetian Republic, which also involved Pizzighettone. CONDITION REPORT Modern vellum binding. Printer's mark on title page, woodcut initials (slightly browned and foxed, wormhole in bottom corner of the last 4 leaves). Handwritten title on spine and lower cut (faults and lacks restored on the backplate). Good state of maintenance of the work. The inner pages do not show any particular signs of wear or spots. Neat copy, complete, clean and tidy. pp. (2); 6nn. 242; 14nn. (2) WHOLE TITLE AND AUTHOR Hieronymi Claravacaei Cremonensis. Ad Paulum III pont. max. Fastorum libri XII nuper i lucem redigeret Apud Franciscum Simonem Moschenios Fratres, Mediolani, 1554 Chiaravacci Gerolamo CONTENTS Before the poem there is a letter from C.'s nephew, Omobono, to A. Farnese, brief. of S. Lorenzo in Damaso, nephew of Paul III, (June 12, 1554). The dedication of the Fasti is by Giangiacomo Gabiani, professor at the school of Lodi and dated in Lodi, March 21, 1549, it is addressed to the Pope himself “since we found the work dedicated to you, Maecenas of the learned”. In the Preface, Gabiani also refers to Elegiarum tres [libros] ac Epigrammatum unum, indicated by him along with the Fasti by Omobono, of which he, also for its Christian content, would prevent its downfall and oblivion. It was only the Fasti that was published, however, while the other works which were not printed are irrevocably lost. Draud's statement (p. 1146), admitting on the basis of this preface the existence of elegies and epigrams in print, is therefore incorrect. Perhaps its publication was hindered by its poor state of conservation or for economic reasons. The Fasti appeared unfinished, probably without the final stylistic revision; but Gabiani, who was responsible for the recognition of the work, claims to have behaved as Vario and Tucca with Virgil's Aeneid. Omobono instead took care of the index and memorabilia next to the text. Following Ovid's example, C. divided the matter according to the twelve months of the year. Each book presents a fixed outline, the etymology and history of the month at the beginning, a brief summary at the end. Moreover, C. precedes the twelve books, individually, with short invocations or protasis, in which he asks for the inspiration or blessing of a biblical character (I, Moses) or a pagan character (III, Pallas) or of a muse (XI, Urania). His aim was to produce a kind of sacred chronicle in which the most “dramatic” episodes of the Old and New Testaments had the greatest importance, and at the same time a kind of martyrology coordinated with the calendar. Alongside the edifying material we find moral and philosophical digressions and a not very orderly succession of historical and legendary facts recalled from ancient literature. Broadly speaking, a cosmological design can also be seen in the Fasti, which goes from the creation of the world to the greatest exponents of Latin patristics to the theological-philosophical debate on the Immaculate Conception. The author also makes no secret of his admiration for the great figures of lawgivers, philosophers, leaders, who in this reveal his scholastic training.