Virgilio nel Medio Evo, vol. I

This volume offers a sweeping survey of how Virgil’s reputation was reshaped across the centuries of the Middle Ages. The author maps the poet’s journey from a revered classical authority to a figure woven into medieval scholarly discourse, filling gaps left by earlier, fragmentary studies. By tracing the evolution of his name and its intellectual connotations, the work reveals the complex dialogue between ancient texts and medieval thought.

Divided into two complementary sections, the first examines Virgil’s presence in the learned literary tradition up to the Dantean era, showing how scholars and poets integrated his authority into their own works. The second turns to the popular sphere, where legends of Virgil as a magician took hold, spreading through vernacular literature and folk belief. Drawing on a wealth of primary sources and revisiting prior scholarship, the author provides fresh analysis of these intertwined scholarly and magical images.

Listening to this study illuminates the medieval mind’s fascination with classical heritage, demonstrating how reverence and myth coexisted in shaping Europe’s cultural memory. It invites anyone curious about the crossroads of literature, history, and folklore to explore a pivotal chapter in the transmission of ideas.