Echoes of Excellence
Boccaccio's Pantheon of Virtuous Women: A curated exploration of the lives of remarkable women from antiquity and legend.
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What is "De Mulieribus Claris"?
A Groundbreaking Collection
De Mulieribus Claris, meaning "Concerning Famous Women," is a collection of biographies penned in Latin prose by the renowned Florentine author Giovanni Boccaccio. Composed between 1361 and 1362, this work holds the distinction of being the first collection dedicated exclusively to the biographies of women in post-ancient Western literature.[2]
Boccaccio's Vision
Concurrently with his work on De Mulieribus Claris, Boccaccio also compiled a companion volume of biographies focusing on famous men, titled De Casibus Virorum Illustrium ("On the Fates of Famous Men"). This parallel endeavor highlights Boccaccio's comprehensive interest in the lives and destinies of influential figures across history and mythology.[2]
Historical Significance
The collection draws from classical antiquity and biblical narratives, presenting portraits of women renowned for their virtues, achievements, and sometimes their tragic fates. It offers a unique perspective on female historical and mythological figures from the medieval period, reflecting the intellectual currents of the early Renaissance.
Portraits of Renown
- 1. Eve, the first woman in the Bible
- 2. Semiramis, queen of the Assyrians
- 3. Opis, wife of Saturn
- 4. Juno, goddess of the Kingdoms
- 5. Ceres, goddess of the harvest and queen of Sicily
- 6. Minerva, Roman goddess of wisdom, justice, law, victory, and the sponsor of arts, trade, and strategy
- 7. Venus, queen of Cyprus
- 8. Isis, queen and goddess of Egypt
- 9. Europa, queen of Crete
- 10. Libya, queen of Libya
- 11 and 12. Marpesia and Lampedo, queens of the Amazons
- 13. Thisbe, a Babylonian maiden
- 14. Hypermnestra, queen of the Argives and priestess of Juno
- 15. Niobe, queen of Thebes
- 16. Hypsipyle, queen of Lemnos
- 17. Medea, queen of Colchis and lover of Jason in the "Argonautica"
- 18. Arachne of Colophon
- 19 and 20. Orithyia and Antiope, queens of the Amazons
- 21. Erythraea or Heriphile, a Sibyl
- 22. Medusa, daughter of Phorcus
- 23. Iole, daughter of the king of the Aetolians
- 24. Deianira, wife of Hercules
- 25. Jocasta, queen of Thebes
- 26. Amaltheia or Deiphebe, a Sibyl
- 27. Nicostrata, or Carmenta, daughter of King Ionius
- 28. Procris, wife of Cephalus
- 29. Argia, wife of Polynices and daughter of King Adrastus
- 30. Manto, daughter of Tiresias
- 31. The wives of the Minyans
- 32. Penthesilea, queen of the Amazons
- 33. Polyxena, daughter of King Priam
- 34. Hecuba, queen of the Trojans
- 35. Cassandra, daughter of King Priam of Troy
- 36. Clytemnestra, queen of Mycenae
- 37. Helen of Troy, whose abduction by Paris began the Trojan War
- 38. Circe, daughter of the Sun
- 39. Camilla, queen of the Volscians
- 40. Penelope, wife of Ulysses
- 41. Lavinia, queen of Laurentum
- 42. Dido, or Elissa, queen of Carthage
- 43. Nicaula, queen of Ethiopia
- 44. Pamphile, daughter of Platea
- 45. Rhea Ilia, a Vestal Virgin
- 46. Gaia Cyrilla (Tanaquil), wife of King Tarquinius Priscus
- 47. Sappho, poet from the island of Lesbos
- 48. Lucretia, wife of Collatinus
- 49. Tamyris, queen of Scythia
- 50. Leaena, a courtesan who was tortured to death by the dictator Hippias
- 51. Athaliah, queen of Jerusalem
- 52. Cloelia, a Roman maiden
- 53. Hippo, a Greek woman
- 54. Megullia Dotata
- 55. Veturia, a Roman matron
- 56. Thamyris, daughter of Micon
- 57. A conflation of Artemisia II and Artemisia I, queens of Caria
- 58. Verginia, virgin and daughter of Virginius
- 59. Eirene, daughter of Cratinus
- 60. Leontium
- 61. Olympias, queen of Macedonia
- 62. Claudia, a Vestal Virgin
- 63. Virginia, wife of Lucius Volumnius
- 64. Flora, goddess of flowers and wife of Zephyrus
- 65. A young Roman woman
- 66. Marcia, daughter of Varro
- 67. Sulpicia, wife of Quintus Fulvius Flaccus
- 68. Harmonia, daughter of Gelon, son of Hiero II of Syracuse
- 69. Busa of Canosa di Puglia
- 70. Sophonisba, queen of Numidia
- 71. Theoxena, daughter of Prince Herodicus
- 72. Berenice, queen of Cappadocia
- 73. The Wife of Orgiagon the Galatian
- 74. Tertia Aemilia, wife of the elder Africanus
- 75. Dripetrua, queen of Laodice
- 76. Sempronia, daughter of Gracchus
- 77. Claudia Quinta, a Roman woman
- 78. Hypsicratea, Queen of Pontus
- 79. Sempronia, a Roman Woman
- 80. The Wives of the Cimbrian
- 81. Julia, daughter of the dictator Julius Caesar
- 82. Portia, daughter of Cato Uticensis
- 83. Curia, wife of Quintus Lucretius
- 84. Hortensia, daughter of Quintus Hortensius
- 85. Sulpicia, wife of Cruscellio
- 86. Cornificia, a poet
- 87. Mariamme, queen of Judaea
- 88. Cleopatra, queen of Egypt
- 89. Antonia, daughter of Antony
- 90. Agrippina, wife of Germanicus
- 91. Paulina, a Roman woman seduced by Decius Mundus pretending to be Anubis
- 92. Agrippina, mother of the Emperor Nero
- 93. Epicharis, a freedwoman
- 94. Pompeia Paulina, wife of Seneca
- 95. Poppaea Sabina, wife of Nero
- 96. Triaria, wife of Lucius Vitellius
- 97. Proba, wife of Adelphus
- 98. Faustina Augusta
- 99. Symiamira, woman of Emesa
- 100. Zenobia, queen of Palmyra
- 101. Joan, an Englishwoman and Pope
- 102. Irene, Empress of Constantinople
- 103. Gualdrada, a Florentine maiden
- 104. Constance, Empress of Rome and queen of Sicily
- 105. Camiola, a Sienese widow
- 106. Joanna, queen of Jerusalem and Sicily
Historical Context
Language and Publication
Composed in Latin, the scholarly language of the era, De Mulieribus Claris was first compiled in Florence between 1361 and 1362. Its dissemination occurred through manuscripts, with early printed editions appearing in cities like Strassburg (1475), Paris (1493), and Antwerp (1525), facilitating its reach across Europe.
Influence and Reception
The work was influential in shaping perceptions of female historical figures and contributed to the burgeoning humanist interest in classical antiquity. Its structure and content provided a model for subsequent biographical collections, celebrating the virtues and deeds of women across different eras and cultures.
A Note on Sources
It is important to note that the original text, and by extension this presentation, relies heavily on primary sources and classical accounts. As indicated by scholarly notes, the article itself benefits from the inclusion of more diverse secondary and tertiary sources to provide a broader academic context. This reflects the nature of historical scholarship, which often builds upon earlier interpretations.
Enduring Legacy
Literary Impact
De Mulieribus Claris stands as a significant contribution to Renaissance literature, offering a unique focus on female agency and historical representation. Its compilation of diverse female lives, from biblical figures to mythological heroines and historical personalities, provided a rich tapestry of examples for contemporary and future readers.
Translations and Editions
The work was translated into various vernacular languages, including French by Laurent de Premierfait in 1405, and later into English. These translations ensured its accessibility beyond scholarly circles, spreading Boccaccio's narratives and the stories of these famous women to a wider audience.
Scholarly Engagement
The book continues to be a subject of academic study, with scholars examining its sources, Boccaccio's methodology, and its cultural impact. The ongoing engagement with De Mulieribus Claris underscores its lasting importance in the study of literature, history, and gender.
References & Bibliography
Citations
The following citations support the information presented, referencing the original source material and scholarly analyses.
Bibliography
Key scholarly works and primary source editions related to De Mulieribus Claris.
- Anderson, Jaynie (2003). Tiepolo's Cleopatra. Melbourne: Macmillan. ISBN 978-1876832445.
- Boccaccio, Giovanni (2003). Famous Women. I Tatti Renaissance Library. Vol. 1. Translated by Virginia Brown. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-01130-9.
- Boitani, Piero (1976). "The Monk's Tale: Dante and Boccaccio". Medium Ævum. 45 (1): 50–69. doi:10.2307/43628171. JSTOR 43628171.
- Watanabe-O'Kelly, Helen (2010). Beauty Or Beast?: The Woman Warrior in the German Imagination from the Renaissance to the Present. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0199558230
External Links
Further resources and related content.
- Wikimedia Commons: Media related to De mulieribus claris
- The Genealogy of Women: Studies in Boccaccio's De mulieribus claris (Archived)
- The ghost of Boccaccio: writings on famous women in Renaissance Italy
- Its publishing development history (Archived)
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page has been generated by an AI, drawing upon historical texts and academic interpretations. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes, aiming to provide an accessible overview of Giovanni Boccaccio's De Mulieribus Claris.
This is not a primary source document. While based on provided data, the AI's interpretation and presentation may not capture the full nuance or original context of Boccaccio's work. Furthermore, the original text itself notes a reliance on primary sources, suggesting a need for critical engagement with its historical context and sourcing.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein. Always consult original texts and scholarly analyses for definitive understanding.