Storia dell'Italia religiosa, I: L'antichità e il medioevo ed. by André Vauchez
Robert Brentano
312BOOK REVIEWS Ancient Storia dell'Italia religiosa, I: L'antichità e il medioevo. Edited by André Vauchez. [Storia Società.] (Bari: Editori Laterza. 1993. Pp. xvi, 612; 20 plates. Lire 50,000.) The editors of this book have shown a great deal courage in imagining its subject and Ln approaching that with the structure they chosen. In fact, it could be argued there cannot religious history something called Italy stretching from pre-Roman period to Second Vatican Council (in early sixteenth century). It would not an unreasonable argument; but readers aware activities work Gabriele De Rosa (one general volume) Vauchez probably agree if anyone make subject, way treat could. They chosen write single narrative controlled mind, like, say, Colin Morris's Papal Monarchy, rather put together seventeen essays twelve eminent French ItaUan scholars (and is very French-Italian production). Four writers contribute more than one essay: GiuUa Barone, Grado Merlo, Roberto Rusconi, each two; himself, three introduction. Although repeaters do always speak same voice, their repeated presence gives sense continuity connection book. preface introduction suggest were difficulty, both pieces persuade the, at least already persuaded, reader was Italy, less successfully terms offered essays, real between II, as suggests (p. 7), for example, attachment people questo paese visibUity sacred. Vauchez's seems promise approach which, fortunately, really much pursued except ofVauchez's own which deals relics, sanctuaries , sacred space, Chiara Frugoni's essay on, according title, iconography life later Middle Ages (thirteenth fifteenth centuries), last part Paolo GolineLU's essay. are arranged chronological, course completely order. repeatedly forced provide continuum generaUzation most enticing kind writing. That face jobs differently glance numbers kinds footnotes makes clear. But, course, historians talented these men women kept presenting value interest even some surprises. Most obviously briUiant Giorgio Cracco's (which covers Lombards Carolingians) creates "The miracoW Gregory Great" focused, ItaUan, vivaciously active, Gregory, shorn aspects bibUography) distract his Italian importance. Frugoni,who proclaims impossibiUty doing too so little adapts her skiU volume's seeming purpose approaches applied piety (devozione "applicata"), images practical use public places; she offers model BOOK REVIEWS313 iconographical deconstruction 1464 gonfalone Benedetto Bonfigli. Rusconi twice shows unusual ability combine long, broad coverage helpful venture thought-provoking insight cheering example.Jean Guyon provides what me dense Uttle masterpiece on first centuries Christian mission Italy; Merlo monastic reform vita apostólica, ties evokes accomplished mastery, CamaldoU VaUombrosa. GolinelU's relatively long organizational reUgious Ufe age particularism is, especially ten pages, fuU crisp information argument. Jean-Marie Martin confronts analyzes existence relations Lombard, Greek, Islamic, Norman, South, through twelfth century. This complements replaces Giovanni MiccoU Jacques LeGoff in...
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