Personal appearance and physiognomics in early medieval Italy
Paolo Squatriti
Starting with an analysis of the physical descriptions bishops in Italian episcopal Gesta, paper proceeds to a consideration importance personal appearance for early medieval leaders. Light is cast on these issues thanks use late antique physiognomic theory. Physiognomic thinking, it demonstrated, was current at least informal level amongst many authors Italy, as well being familiar even non-literate social categories. The likewise uses physiognomics explain relationship between literary and paintings which they were often based.
Journal of Medieval History