Demetrius Chalcondyles: Life and Work. Post scriptum: Two Inaugural Speeches to the Foundation of the Department of Greek Studies at the University of Padua in 1463
Abstract
Paper brings an outline of life of post-Byzantine emigré scholar, celebrated Athenian, Demetrius Chalcondyles (1423–1511), with respect to his professional career as a teacher of ancient Greek language and literature and as editor of the first prints in Greek (Homer, 1488; Isokrates, 1493; Greek grammar, 1493; Suidas, 1499). Article is focused mainly on his “Paduan period” (1463– 1472).
In 1463 he was appointed as a first occupant of the Department of Greek Studies at the University at Padua. The chair of Greek letters was established under the aegis of Venetian Signoria.
By his broad erudition, proper pedagogical skills, and professional excellence of his instruction,Chalcondyles soon became the center of group of enthusiastic adepts longing to master ancient Greek and to get a deeper knowledge of ancient Greek literature. Among the Chalcondyles' studenst of this “Paduan period” being Giovanni Lorenzi, Janus Laskaris, Nicolas Laonicus (Leonicos) Thomaeus, Varinus Favorinus of Camerino, Agostino Baldo or Andrea Brenta.
Two inaugural speeches, which Demetrius Chalcondyles delivered in 1463 and 1464, expressed the importance and advantages of studying ancient Greek for contemporary Italian Renaissance society. Speeches had also clear political aspect: to stress the necessity of recovery and liberation of Chalcondyles' prostrate homeland from the occupying Ottoman Turks with the help of Venice and “all of the Latins”.
Post-Byzantine humanist reminded the Italians Justinian's aid againt the Goths (535–553 C.E.). This vice versa analogy – bridging the time gap of one thousand years – to situation at that time was thus conceived as overdue debt of the Italians.
Paper presents the complete original version of both speeches followed by the translation into Czech language