Who was Lorenzo Valla, and what were his primary contributions during the Renaissance?

Lorenzo Valla, also latinized as Laurentius, was an Italian Renaissance humanist scholar, rhetorician, educator, and Catholic priest, born around 1407 and dying on August 1, 1457. He is most recognized for his historical-critical textual analysis, which famously exposed the Donation of Constantine as a forgery, thereby challenging the temporal power claimed by the papacy. Some consider him a precursor to the Reformation.

What is depicted in the portrait of Lorenzo Valla mentioned in the source material?

The source material references a portrait of Lorenzo Valla that was created for Jean-Jacques Boissard's work titled *Icones quinquaginta virorum illustrium* between 1597 and 1599. This portrait serves as a visual representation of the influential Renaissance scholar.

Where was Lorenzo Valla born, and what was his family background?

Lorenzo Valla was born in Rome, though his family had roots in Piacenza. His father, Luciave della Valla, was a lawyer who held a position in the Papal Curia, which was the administrative body of the Holy See.

Who were Lorenzo Valla's notable teachers, and what subjects did he study?

Lorenzo Valla received his education in Rome, where he attended classes taught by prominent figures such as Leonardo Bruni and Giovanni Aurispa. From these instructors, he acquired knowledge in Latin and Greek. Despite his formal education, he is also largely considered to have been self-taught in many areas.

What early professional ambition did Valla pursue, and was he successful?

In 1431, the same year he was ordained as a priest, Valla attempted to secure a position as an apostolic secretary, specifically with the aim of going to China. However, despite his existing network of contacts, he was unsuccessful in obtaining this role.

What caused Valla to offend Antonio Loschi early in his career?

Valla caused offense to Antonio Loschi by advocating for the rhetorician Quintilian in one of his early works. This act of championing Quintilian's style or ideas likely went against Loschi's preferences or established academic norms at the time.

Where did Lorenzo Valla teach after leaving Rome, and what controversy arose during his tenure?

After leaving Rome, Valla went to Piacenza and subsequently to Pavia, where he secured a professorship of eloquence. His time at Pavia became contentious due to his critique of the Latin style used by the jurist Bartolus de Saxoferrato, which likely stirred academic debate and discomfort.

What was the nature of Lorenzo Valla's career path after his time in Pavia?

Following his professorship in Pavia, Lorenzo Valla became an itinerant scholar, moving from one university to another. He accepted short-term engagements and delivered lectures in various cities, indicating a period of academic mobility.

What positions did Lorenzo Valla hold in Rome after being invited by Pope Nicholas V?

After being invited to Rome by Pope Nicholas V in 1447, Lorenzo Valla worked on his *Repastinatio*. He later became a papal scribe and, in 1455, was appointed a papal secretary, indicating a return to favor and official roles within the Papal Curia.

Where was Lorenzo Valla originally buried, and what happened to his tomb?

Lorenzo Valla was originally interred beneath the monumental bronze *Lex de imperio Vespasiani* behind the altar of Saint John Lateran in Rome. However, in 1576, Pope Gregory XIII, a staunch supporter of the *Donation of Constantine*, ordered the destruction of Valla's tomb and epitaph when the bronze was moved to the Palazzo dei Conservatori. Today, a memorial to Valla exists in the Lateran.

How is Lorenzo Valla generally characterized in older biographies?

Older biographies often portray Lorenzo Valla as a quarrelsome individual, known for combining humanistic elegance with critical wit and venom. He was also recognized as an opponent of the temporal power of the Catholic Church and was involved in numerous literary and theological disputes, including a prominent one with Gianfrancesco Poggio Bracciolini after settling in Rome.

What was the opinion of prominent figures like Martin Luther and Erasmus regarding Lorenzo Valla?

Martin Luther held a high opinion of Valla and his writings, while Robert Bellarmine referred to Valla as 'Luther's precursor,' suggesting his influence on the Reformation. Desiderius Erasmus also praised Valla, stating in his *De ratione studii* that there was 'no better guide than Lorenzo Valla' for Latin grammar.

What was the *Donation of Constantine*, and what did it claim?

The *Donation of Constantine* was a document that suggested Emperor Constantine I had granted the entirety of the Western Roman Empire to the Roman Catholic Church. This act was purportedly a gesture of gratitude because Pope Sylvester I had miraculously cured Constantine of leprosy.

When did Lorenzo Valla write his essay debunking the *Donation of Constantine*?

Lorenzo Valla wrote his influential essay, *De falso credita et ementita Constantini Donatione declamatio*, which critically analyzed the *Donation of Constantine*, between 1439 and 1440.

What motivated Lorenzo Valla's work on the *Donation of Constantine*?

From 1435 to 1445, Valla was employed in the court of Alfonso V of Aragon, who was engaged in a territorial conflict with the Papal States, then under Pope Eugene IV. This political context possibly motivated Valla's work on the *Donation of Constantine*, which challenged papal authority.

What consequences did Valla face for his work on the *Donation of Constantine*?

In 1444, Lorenzo Valla was put on trial before the Catholic Inquisition due to his controversial work on the *Donation of Constantine*. However, he was protected from imprisonment through the intervention of his patron, Alfonso V of Aragon.

How did Lorenzo Valla demonstrate that the *Donation of Constantine* was a forgery based on its internal evidence?

Lorenzo Valla demonstrated that the *Donation of Constantine* was a forgery by analyzing its internal evidence, concluding that its vernacular style dated to the 8th century, not the 4th century as claimed. He also pointed out anachronisms, such as the use of the word 'satrap,' which he believed Romans like Constantine I would not have used, and noted the poor quality of Latin, evidenced by inconsistent verb tenses.

What were Valla's three main arguments against the authenticity of the *Donation of Constantine*?

Valla argued against the authenticity of the *Donation of Constantine* in three primary ways: first, he asserted that Emperor Constantine could not have legally granted the powers claimed by the *Donation* to Pope Sylvester; second, he reasoned that the absence of contemporary evidence made it implausible that such a significant administrative change in the Western Roman Empire had occurred; and third, he expressed doubt that Emperor Constantine had given anything at all to Pope Sylvester, suggesting a possible mistake involving an earlier Pope.

What was Lorenzo Valla's role in textual criticism concerning Livy?

As a specialist in Latin translation, Lorenzo Valla offered numerous suggestions for improving upon Petrarch's existing study of Livy, a Roman historian. He also discussed the emendation of Livy in book IV of his *Antidotum in Facium*, where he clarified corrupt passages and criticized the emendation attempts of his rivals, Panormita and Facio, at the court of Alfonso V.

What was the subject of Valla's work *De Voluptate*, and what philosophical principles did it explore?

Valla's work *De Voluptate*, initially dated 1431 and later revised as *De vero bono* (On the true good) in 1433, explored the concept of pleasure. In this dialogue, he unfavorably contrasted the principles of the Stoics with the tenets of Epicurus, demonstrating a clear sympathy for natural appetites.

What was the scope and evolution of Valla's logic text, *Repastinatio dialectice et philosophie*?

Valla's logic text, initially titled *Repastinatio dialectice et philosophie* around 1439, was also known as *Dialectica* or *Dialecticae disputationes*. It underwent several revisions, with a second version titled *Reconcinnatio totius dialecticae et fundamentorum universalis philosophiae* produced between 1439 and 1448, and a third version, *Retractatio totius dialectice cum fundamentii universe philosophie*, extending to 1457. This work reintroduced a type of argument to the Latin West that had previously fallen out of use.

What was the content and impact of Valla's *De falso credita et ementita Constantini Donatione declamatio*?

Valla's *De falso credita et ementita Constantini Donatione declamatio*, written in 1440, focused on the *Donation of Constantine*. This work, also known as *Contra Donationis, quae Constantini dicitur, privilegia, ut falso creditum declamatio* in the *Opera Omnia*, was completely rejected by the Church. It was not formally published until 1517, after which it gained popularity among Protestants, and an English translation was issued for Thomas Cromwell in 1534.

What philosophical topic did Valla address in *De libero arbitrio*?

Valla's work *De libero arbitrio*, written around 1440, addressed the philosophical concept of Free Will. This treatise notably included a critique of book V of *The Consolation of Philosophy*.

What was the purpose and reception of Valla's *De Elegantiis*?

Valla's *De Elegantiis*, published in 1449, critically examined the forms of Latin grammar and the rules of Latin style and rhetoric. Although controversial upon its release, its arguments ultimately prevailed, leading humanistic Latin to shed its post-Classical influences and embrace a purer form.

What was the context of Valla's *Antidotum in Pogium*?

Valla's *Antidotum in Pogium*, written in 1452, was a work stemming from his controversy with Poggio Bracciolini. Bracciolini had initiated this dispute by attacking Valla in his own work, *Oratio in L. Vallam*, at the beginning of 1452.

What was the significance of Valla's *Adnotationes in Novum Testamentum*?

Valla's *Adnotationes in Novum Testamentum*, an early work also known as *Collation Novi Testamenti* (1447) and revised in the 1450s, contained his notes on the New Testament. This work was discovered by Erasmus in Leuven in 1504 and subsequently published by him in 1505, highlighting its importance for later biblical scholarship.

What was the publication history of Valla's collected works and *Elegantiae linguae Latinae*?

Collected editions of Lorenzo Valla's works, though not entirely complete, were published in Basel in 1540 and Venice in 1592. His *Elegantiae linguae Latinae* was particularly popular, being reprinted nearly sixty times between 1471 and 1536, demonstrating its widespread influence.

Which critical edition of Valla's *Repastinatio dialectice et philosophie* is mentioned?

The first critical edition of the three versions of Valla's *Repastinatio dialectice et philosophie* was edited by G. Zippel and published in two volumes in Padua by Antenore in 1982.

Who edited the 1471 Venice edition of *Elegantiae linguae Latinae*?

The 1471 Venice edition of Valla's *Elegantiae linguae Latinae* was edited by S. López Moreda and later published in Cáceres by the Universidad de Extremadura in 1999.

Who edited *De vero falsoque bono*?

Valla's work *De vero falsoque bono* was edited by M. de Panizza Lorch and published in Bari in 1970.

Who edited *Collatio Novi Testamenti*?

Valla's *Collatio Novi Testamenti* was edited by A. Perosa and published in Florence by Sansoni in 1970.

Which edition of *De falso credita et ementita Constantini donatione* is cited?

An edition of Valla's *De falso credita et ementita Constantini donatione* was edited by W. Setz, published in Weimar by Hermann Böhlaus Nachfolger in 1976, and later reprinted in Leipzig by Teubner in 1994.

Who edited *Ars Grammatica* and provided an Italian translation?

Valla's *Ars Grammatica* was edited by P. Casciano, who also provided an Italian translation, and it was published in Milan by Mondadori, Fondazione Lorenzo Valla, in 1990.

Which institution published *On the Donation of Constantine* as part of The I Tatti Renaissance Library?

Harvard University Press, as part of The I Tatti Renaissance Library, published *On the Donation of Constantine* in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2007.

Which institution published *Dialectical Disputations* as part of The I Tatti Renaissance Library?

Harvard University Press, in Cambridge, and London, published *Dialectical Disputations* as part of The I Tatti Renaissance Library in 2012.

Who edited Valla's *Correspondence* for The I Tatti Renaissance Library?

Brendan Cook edited Valla's *Correspondence* for The I Tatti Renaissance Library, which was published by Harvard University Press in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2013.

Who translated *On the donation of Constantine* into English?

G. W. Bowersock translated *On the donation of Constantine* into English, and it was published in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by Harvard University Press in 2008.

Where can an English translation of Valla's *Dialogue on Free Will* be found?

An English translation of Valla's *Dialogue on Free Will* by C. Trinkaus is included in 'The Renaissance Philosophy of Man,' edited by Ernst Cassirer et al., and published by the University of Chicago Press in 1948.

Who translated *The profession of the religious and selections from The falsely-believed and forged donation of Constantine*?

Olga Zorzi Pugliese translated, and provided an introduction and notes for, *The profession of the religious and selections from The falsely-believed and forged donation of Constantine*. This translation was published in Toronto by the Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies in 1998.

Who translated *De vero falsoque bono* into English?

A. K. Hieatt and M. Lorch translated *De vero falsoque bono* into English, and it was published in New York by Abaris Books in 1977.

Where can an English translation of Valla's *In Praise of Saint Thomas Aquinas* be found?

An English translation of Valla's *In Praise of Saint Thomas Aquinas* by M. E. Hanley is available in *Renaissance Philosophy*, edited by L. A. Kennedy, and published by Mouton in The Hague in 1973.

Who provided the Latin text and English translation for Valla's *Dialectical Disputations* (Repastinatio)?

B. P. Copenhaver and L. Nauta provided both the Latin text and the English translation of Valla's *Repastinatio*, published as *Dialectical Disputations* in two volumes by Harvard University Press in 2012 as part of the I Tatti Renaissance Library.

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Who Was Lorenzo Valla?

A Renaissance Luminary

Lorenzo Valla (c. 1407 – 1 August 1457) was a distinguished Italian Renaissance humanist scholar, rhetorician, educator, and Catholic priest. His intellectual prowess and critical approach to ancient texts marked him as a pivotal figure in the intellectual landscape of the 15th century.^[1]

Challenging Papal Authority

Valla is most famously recognized for his groundbreaking historical-critical textual analysis, which definitively exposed the "Donation of Constantine" as a forgery. This audacious act directly attacked and significantly undermined the presumption of temporal power claimed by the papacy, demonstrating a profound commitment to truth over tradition.^[1]

A Precursor to Reformation

His rigorous philological methods and willingness to question established ecclesiastical documents led some, including Martin Luther, to view him as a significant precursor to the Protestant Reformation. Robert Bellarmine, a prominent Jesuit cardinal, even explicitly referred to Valla as "Luther's precursor," highlighting his early challenge to the Church's authority.^[2]^[3]

Life & Academic Journey

Roman Roots and Early Education

Born in Rome around 1407, Lorenzo Valla hailed from a family with ties to Piacenza. His father, Luciave della Valla, was a lawyer serving in the Papal Curia, providing him with an early exposure to the ecclesiastical and legal spheres. Valla received his education in Rome, attending lectures from esteemed teachers such as Leonardo Bruni and Giovanni Aurispa, from whom he acquired proficiency in Latin and Greek. Despite formal instruction, he is largely considered to have been self-taught in many aspects of his scholarship.^[4]^[5]

Professorships and Controversies

In 1431, Valla was ordained as a priest and, in the same year, unsuccessfully sought a position as an apostolic secretary. Following this, he moved to Piacenza and subsequently to Pavia, where he secured a professorship of eloquence. His tenure at Pavia, however, was marked by controversy, notably an attack on the Latin style of the renowned jurist Bartolus de Saxoferrato. This early display of his critical temperament foreshadowed his later, more significant challenges to established norms. His academic career became somewhat itinerant, as he moved between universities, accepting short-term lecturing engagements in various cities.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Papal Service and Posthumous Fate

In 1447, Pope Nicholas V invited Valla back to Rome, where he continued his scholarly work, including his *Repastinatio*. He rose to become a papal scribe and, by 1455, a papal secretary.^[7]^[8] Valla passed away in Rome and was initially interred beneath the monumental bronze *Lex de imperio Vespasiani* behind the altar of Saint John Lateran. Tragically, in 1576, Pope Gregory XIII, a staunch defender of the "Donation of Constantine," ordered the destruction of Valla's tomb and epitaph when the bronze was relocated. Today, a memorial to Valla stands in the Lateran, a testament to his enduring, if sometimes controversial, legacy.^[9]

Reputation & Enduring Legacy

A Forceful Intellect

Older biographical accounts often portray Valla as a contentious figure, engaging in numerous literary and theological disputes, most notably with Gianfrancesco Poggio Bracciolini after his relocation to Rome. He was known for his sharp intellect, combining humanistic elegance with a critical wit that could be quite incisive. His opposition to the temporal power of the Catholic Church was a defining characteristic of his public persona.^[5]

Esteem Across Eras

Despite, or perhaps because of, his controversial stances, Valla earned the admiration of later intellectual giants. Martin Luther held Valla and his writings in high regard, recognizing the profound implications of his textual critiques. Indeed, Robert Bellarmine, a prominent figure of the Counter-Reformation, acknowledged Valla as "Luther's precursor," underscoring his foundational role in challenging established religious doctrines.^[5]

Master of Latin Grammar

Desiderius Erasmus, another towering figure of Renaissance humanism, explicitly stated in his *De ratione studii* that for Latin grammar, there was "no better guide than Lorenzo Valla." This endorsement from such an influential scholar cemented Valla's reputation as an unparalleled authority in classical philology and the precise use of the Latin language, a skill that underpinned all his critical analyses.

Seminal Works

The Foundation of Modern Philology

Lorenzo Valla's intellectual output was diverse, yet consistently characterized by his rigorous application of philological methods. His works laid much of the groundwork for modern textual criticism and historical analysis, influencing generations of scholars and reformers. From philosophical dialogues to critical examinations of sacred texts, Valla's writings consistently sought to uncover truth through meticulous linguistic and historical scrutiny.

Key Contributions

Valla's most impactful works often challenged prevailing assumptions, whether in the realm of philosophy, theology, or historical documents. His commitment to classical Latin and his sharp eye for anachronisms allowed him to dissect texts with unprecedented precision, revealing inconsistencies and forgeries that had long gone unchallenged. This critical spirit defined his entire body of work.

The Donation of Constantine

The Forged Edict

Between 1439 and 1440, Valla penned his seminal essay, *De falso credita et ementita Constantini Donatione declamatio* (Discourse on the Forgery of the Alleged Donation of Constantine). This work meticulously analyzed the document known as the "Donation of Constantine," which purported that Emperor Constantine I had bestowed the entirety of the Western Roman Empire upon the Roman Catholic Church. This alleged act of gratitude was supposedly for Pope Sylvester I miraculously curing Constantine of leprosy.^[10]

Political Context and Peril

Valla's work on the Donation was likely influenced by his employment at the court of Alfonso V of Aragon from 1435 to 1445, a period when Alfonso was embroiled in a territorial dispute with the Papal States under Pope Eugene IV.^[10] This controversial undertaking led to Valla being put on trial before the Catholic Inquisition in 1444. Fortunately, he was protected from imprisonment through the direct intervention of Alfonso V, highlighting the high stakes of his scholarly pursuits.^[1]

Valla's Irrefutable Proofs

Valla's brilliance lay in his ability to demonstrate, through internal textual evidence, that the "Donation" could not possibly have originated in the 4th century, but rather dated to the 8th century. His arguments were multifaceted and devastatingly effective:

Legal Impossibility: Valla argued that Emperor Constantine lacked the legal authority to grant Pope Sylvester the extensive temporal powers claimed by the "Donation."
Lack of Contemporary Evidence: He reasoned that such a monumental shift in the administration of the Western Roman Empire would have been widely documented by contemporaries. Its absence rendered the claim implausible.
Historical Discrepancy: Valla cast doubt on whether Constantine I had given anything at all to Pope Sylvester I, suggesting a possible confusion with an earlier Pope.
Anachronistic Language: The document contained the word "satrap," a term Valla asserted would not have been used by Romans of Constantine's era, indicating a later origin.^[11]
Poor Latinity: Valla highlighted the undeniably poor quality of the Latin in such a supposedly crucial text, pointing out inconsistent tense usage (e.g., "we have proclaimed" switching to "we decree") as evidence of its later, inauthentic composition.

Though initially rejected by the Church, Valla's treatise was formally published in 1517, gaining immense popularity among Protestants and seeing an English translation for Thomas Cromwell in 1534, further fueling the burgeoning Reformation movements.^[18]

Broader Textual Criticism

Refining Classical Texts

As a specialist in Latin translation, Valla extended his critical acumen to classical literature. He offered numerous suggestions for improving upon Petrarch's earlier studies of Livy, demonstrating his commitment to restoring the purity and accuracy of ancient texts.^[12] His *Antidotum in Facium*, particularly Book IV (also circulated as *Emendationes in T. Livium*), delved into the emendation of Livy, where he not only elucidated corrupt passages but also critiqued the emendation attempts of his rivals, Panormita and Bartolomeo Facio, at the court of Alfonso V.^[13]

Scrutinizing Sacred Scripture

Valla's critical gaze also turned to the official Bible of the Roman Catholic Church, Jerome's Latin Vulgate. In his *Adnotationes in Novum Testamentum*, he meticulously questioned the Church's system of penance and indulgences. His central argument was that the practice of penance was based on Jerome's translation of the Greek word *metanoia* as the Latin *paenitentia* (penance). Valla contended that *metanoia* would have been more accurately translated as "repentance," a distinction with profound theological implications.^[14]

Endorsed by Erasmus

Valla's critical work on the Vulgate was later lauded by Desiderius Erasmus, who found Valla's *Adnotationes in Novum Testamentum* in Leuven in 1504 and published it in 1505. Erasmus's endorsement further amplified Valla's influence, particularly among those seeking to reform Christian thought and practice through a return to original sources and accurate textual interpretation.^[22]

Other Significant Manuscripts

Rhetoric and Philosophy

Valla's contemporary reputation was also significantly bolstered by two other key works: his dialogue *De Voluptate* and his treatise *De Elegantiis Latinae Linguae*. Richard Claverhouse Jebb, a renowned classical scholar, declared that Valla's *De Elegantiis* "marked the highest level that had yet been reached in the critical study of Latin," underscoring its monumental importance in the revival of classical Latin.^[5]

A summary of Valla's influential manuscript works:

Initial Date	Initial Title	Scope	Versions & Comments
1431	De Voluptate	"On Pleasure." Contrasted Stoic principles unfavorably with Epicurean tenets, showing sympathy for natural appetites.^[15]^[5]	Version of 1433 as De vero bono (On the true good).^[7]
c. 1439	Repastinatio dialectice et philosophie	A logic text.	Also known as Dialectica or Dialecticae disputationes. Second version Reconcinnatio totius dialecticae et fundamentorum universalis philosophiae (1439-1448), third version Retractatio totius dialectice cum fundamentii universe philosophie (to 1457). Valla reintroduced a type of argument that had fallen into disuse.^[16]^[17]
1440	De falso credita et ementita Constantini Donatione declamatio^[18]	On the Donation of Constantine.	In the Opera Omnia (Basle) as Contra Donationis, quae Constantini dicitur, privilegia, ut falso creditum declamatio.^[18] Rejected by the Church, published 1517, popular among Protestants.
c. 1440^[19]	De libero arbitrio	On Free Will.	Contains an attack on book V of The Consolation of Philosophy.^[20]
1449^[19]	De Elegantiis Latinae Linguae	Valla subjected Latin grammar, style, and rhetoric to critical examination.^[5]	Controversial initially, but its arguments prevailed, leading humanistic Latin to purge post-Classical elements.
1452	Antidotum in Pogium	Controversy with Poggio Bracciolini.	Bracciolini attacked Valla in Oratio in L. Vallam in early 1452.^[21]
An early work^[7]	Adnotationes in Novum Testamentum	Notes on the New Testament.	Found by Erasmus in 1504, published 1505.^[22] Also Collation Novi Testamenti (1447).^[19] Revised in the 1450s.^[7]

Printed Editions & Translations

The enduring significance of Valla's work is evident in the numerous printed editions and translations that followed his lifetime. His *Elegantiae linguae Latinae* alone was reprinted nearly sixty times between 1471 and 1536, a testament to its profound influence on Latin scholarship.^[5]

Collected Editions:

Opera omnia, Basel 1540; reprinted with a second volume (Turin: Bottega d'Erasmo, 1962).
Repastinatio dialectice et philosophie, ed. G. Zippel, 2 vols. (First critical edition of the three versions: Padua: Antenore, 1982).
Elegantiae linguae Latinae, Venice 1471, edited by S. López Moreda (Cáceres: Universidad de Extremadura, 1999).
De vero falsoque bono, edited by M. de Panizza Lorch, Bari, 1970.
Collatio Novi Testamenti, edited by A. Perosa (Florence: Sansoni, 1970).
De falso credita et ementita Constantini donatione, ed. W. Setz (Weimar: Hermann Böhlaus Nachfolger, 1976; reprinted Leipzig: Teubner, 1994).
Ars Grammatica, ed. P. Casciano with Italian translation (Milan: Mondadori, Fondazione Lorenzo Valla, 1990).
On the Donation of Constantine. The I Tatti Renaissance Library (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2007).
Dialectical Disputations. The I Tatti Renaissance Library (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, London, 2012).
Correspondence, ed. Cook, Brendan. The I Tatti Renaissance Library (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2013).

English Translations:

On the donation of Constantine translated by G. W. Bowersock, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2008.
Dialogue on Free Will, translated by C. Trinkaus. In: 'The Renaissance Philosophy of Man', edited by Ernst Cassirer et al., Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1948.
The profession of the religious and selections from The falsely-believed and forged donation of Constantine translated, and with an introduction and notes, by Olga Zorzi Pugliese, Toronto: Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies, 1998.
De vero falsoque bono translated by A. K. Hieatt and M. Lorch, New York: Abaris Books 1977.
In Praise of Saint Thomas Aquinas, translated by M. E. Hanley. In Renaissance Philosophy, ed. L. A. Kennedy, Mouton: The Hague, 1973.
Dialectical Disputations, Latin text and English translation of the Repastinatio by B. P. Copenhaver and L. Nauta, Harvard University Press, 2012 (I Tatti Renaissance Library, two volumes).

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References

See especially Giuseppe Billanovich, 'Petrarch and the Textual Tradition of Livy', in Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes XIV (1951), pp. 137-208.

For a critical edition, see Lorenzo Valla, Antidotum in Facium, ed. M. Regoliosi, Padua 1981, pp. 327-370.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Lorenzo Valla Wikipedia page

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This is not professional historical or theological advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for rigorous academic research, consultation with expert historians, philologists, or theologians, or engagement with primary sources. Always refer to scholarly publications and consult with qualified professionals for specific research or interpretive needs. Never disregard established academic consensus because of something you have read on this website.

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The Philologist's Blade

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Who Was Lorenzo Valla? 🧐

🇮🇹 A Renaissance Luminary

⚔️ Challenging Papal Authority

💡 A Precursor to Reformation

Life & Academic Journey 🗺️

🏛️ Roman Roots and Early Education

🎓 Professorships and Controversies

👑 Papal Service and Posthumous Fate

Reputation & Enduring Legacy 🌟

🗣️ A Forceful Intellect

🤝 Esteem Across Eras

✍️ Master of Latin Grammar

Seminal Works 📖

📜 The Foundation of Modern Philology

💡 Key Contributions

The Donation of Constantine 🔍

📝 The Forged Edict

⚖️ Political Context and Peril

🔬 Valla's Irrefutable Proofs

Broader Textual Criticism 📚

🏛️ Refining Classical Texts

✝️ Scrutinizing Sacred Scripture

🌟 Endorsed by Erasmus

Other Significant Manuscripts 📝

🗣️ Rhetoric and Philosophy

🖨️ Printed Editions & Translations

Collected Editions:

English Translations:

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

📜 References

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Who Was Lorenzo Valla?

A Renaissance Luminary

Challenging Papal Authority

A Precursor to Reformation

Life & Academic Journey

Roman Roots and Early Education

Professorships and Controversies

Papal Service and Posthumous Fate

Reputation & Enduring Legacy

A Forceful Intellect

Esteem Across Eras

Master of Latin Grammar

Seminal Works

The Foundation of Modern Philology

Key Contributions

The Donation of Constantine

The Forged Edict

Political Context and Peril

Valla's Irrefutable Proofs

Broader Textual Criticism

Refining Classical Texts

Scrutinizing Sacred Scripture

Endorsed by Erasmus

Other Significant Manuscripts

Rhetoric and Philosophy

Printed Editions & Translations

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

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Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

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