Invectives
Petrarca, Francesco / Marsh, David Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374), one of the greatest of Italian poets, was also the leading spirit in the Renaissance movement to revive ancient Roman language and literature. Just as Petrarch's Latin epic "Africa" imitated Virgil and his compendium "On Illustrious Men" was inspired by Livy, so Petrarch's four "Invectives" were intended to revive the eloquence of the great Roman orator Cicero. The "Invectives" are directed against the cultural ...