To Wake the DeadTo Wake the Dead
a Renaissance Merchant and the Birth of Archaeology
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Book, 2009
Current format, Book, 2009, First edition, No Longer Available.Book, 2009
Current format, Book, 2009, First edition, No Longer Available. Offered in 0 more formatsIn the fifteenth century the monuments of the Greek and Roman past were largely seen as free building material. That they began to be perceived as treasures was due to the efforts of a merchant, Cyriacus of Ancona. Belozerskayak, who has written on both ancient and Renaissance art, tells the story of this unlikely art lover. She follows Cyriacus from his childhood and apprenticeship to his discovery of the writings of Petrarch, which inflamed his interest in the remnants of the Roman world all around him. His drawings of the statues and monuments from Alexandria to Rome influenced the artists of Italy, many of whom studied them for inspiration in the classical revival. Cyriacus’ desire to preserve artifacts also led to political efforts on his part to reunite the Greek and Roman churches. His attitude toward the burgeoning Ottoman Empire was at first cordial but became antagonistic as he aged. The story of Cyriacus is told in a lively manner, drawn from primary sources with recreations of scenes that are very much in the tradition of early historians. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
At the beginning of the fifteenth century, a young Italian bookkeeper fell under the spell of the classical past. Despite his limited education, the Greeks and Romans seemed to speak directly to him--not from books but from the physical ruins and inscriptions that lay neglected around the shores of the Mediterranean. As an international merchant, Cyriacus of Ancona was accustomed to the perils of travel in foreign lands--unlike his more scholarly peers with their handsome libraries and wealthy patrons, who benefited greatly from the discoveries communicated in his widely distributed letters and drawings. Having seen firsthand the destruction of the world's cultural heritage, Cyriacus resolved to preserve it for future generations. To do so he would spy on the Ottomans, court popes and emperors, and even organize a crusade.--From publisher description.
At the beginning of the fifteenth century, a young Italian bookkeeper fell under the spell of the classical past. Despite his limited education, the Greeks and Romans seemed to speak directly to him—not from books but from the physical ruins and inscriptions that lay neglected around the shores of the Mediterranean.As an international merchant, Cyriacus of Ancona was accustomed to the perils of travel in foreign lands—unlike his more scholarly peers with their handsome libraries and wealthy patrons, who benefited greatly from the discoveries communicated in his widely distributed letters and drawings. Having seen firsthand the destruction of the world’s cultural heritage, Cyriacus resolved to preserve it for future generations. To do so he would spy on the Ottomans, court popes and emperors, and even organize a crusade.
Traces the contributions of fifteenth-century merchant and amateur classicist Cyriacus of Ancona to the preservation of ancient Mediterranean monuments, describing his widely distributed letters and drawings, his productive relationships with both Greeks and Romans, and his work as a spy.
Traces the contributions of fifteenth-century amateur classicist Cyriacus of Ancona to the preservation of ancient Mediterranean monuments, describing his widely distributed letters and drawings and his productive relationships with both Greeks and Romans.
How Cyriacus of Ancona—merchant, spy, and amateur classicist—traveled the world, fighting to save ancient monuments for posterity.
At the beginning of the fifteenth century, a young Italian bookkeeper fell under the spell of the classical past. Despite his limited education, the Greeks and Romans seemed to speak directly to him--not from books but from the physical ruins and inscriptions that lay neglected around the shores of the Mediterranean. As an international merchant, Cyriacus of Ancona was accustomed to the perils of travel in foreign lands--unlike his more scholarly peers with their handsome libraries and wealthy patrons, who benefited greatly from the discoveries communicated in his widely distributed letters and drawings. Having seen firsthand the destruction of the world's cultural heritage, Cyriacus resolved to preserve it for future generations. To do so he would spy on the Ottomans, court popes and emperors, and even organize a crusade.--From publisher description.
At the beginning of the fifteenth century, a young Italian bookkeeper fell under the spell of the classical past. Despite his limited education, the Greeks and Romans seemed to speak directly to him—not from books but from the physical ruins and inscriptions that lay neglected around the shores of the Mediterranean.As an international merchant, Cyriacus of Ancona was accustomed to the perils of travel in foreign lands—unlike his more scholarly peers with their handsome libraries and wealthy patrons, who benefited greatly from the discoveries communicated in his widely distributed letters and drawings. Having seen firsthand the destruction of the world’s cultural heritage, Cyriacus resolved to preserve it for future generations. To do so he would spy on the Ottomans, court popes and emperors, and even organize a crusade.
Traces the contributions of fifteenth-century merchant and amateur classicist Cyriacus of Ancona to the preservation of ancient Mediterranean monuments, describing his widely distributed letters and drawings, his productive relationships with both Greeks and Romans, and his work as a spy.
Traces the contributions of fifteenth-century amateur classicist Cyriacus of Ancona to the preservation of ancient Mediterranean monuments, describing his widely distributed letters and drawings and his productive relationships with both Greeks and Romans.
How Cyriacus of Ancona—merchant, spy, and amateur classicist—traveled the world, fighting to save ancient monuments for posterity.
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- New York : W.W. Norton & Co., [2009], ©2009
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