The Vitruvian Middle Ages and Beyond
Wim Verbaal
The Vitruvian Middle Ages and Beyond Wim Verbaal What do we mean when speak of the Ages? Does history Vitruvius in west not start around 1415 three humanists dug up manuscript de Architectura from graveyard that was monastic library St. Gallen? Are primarily, then, prehistory Vitruvius? they likewise post-histoire classical thought knowledge general? Even a broad scholarly public knows questions such as those above are no longer founded upon any reality, beliefs behind them still remain decisive shaping image presentation European cultural identity. One need only open at random book on reception or heritage table contents will invariably show same leap late antiquity to era early humanists—the period which every modern Europe takes its departure. scholars who realize our is largely determined by medieval textual transmission hardly ever willing take into consideration discussing afterlife culture literature.1 Nonetheless, exist. does 1416/1417. Poggio his colleagues discovered monastery Gallen sole survivor age antiquity. And had stayed buried for almost thousand years obscurity ignorance [End Page 215] indifference.2 Already 1967, Carol Krinsky published an article she enumerated seventy-eight manuscripts dating eight ninth fifteenth century. More recently, voluminous study Stefan Schuler (1999) offers even more thorough range reaching nineteenth century, well exhaustive list references during Ages: quotations, rewritings, mentions, listings catalogues. Actually, Edgar Bruyne already done part this work 1946 fundamental Études d’esthétique médiévale (1946.244–61). His remains unmentioned, however, both Schuler. Yet spite accumulated about known Ages; all quotations writers period; appearances libraries over Europe, question has be asked whether one allowed Ages. How must tag “Vitruvian” understood between fall Roman empire discovery were In what sense can considered formative force period? he way add understanding these western history? These I wish tackle. pay much attention Vitruvius, nor transposition practical field architecture. Mine contribution literary scholar, historian Nor it necessary redo trace story treatise. Rather, Schuler’s forms starting point my contribution. offer attempt understand This easy task, because widespread differences either global historical view, blankest space many people’s personal map knowledge, general most specialists. They widest opportunity abstruse prejudices romanticisms, very few, especially among classicists scholars, dare venture so-called dark ages.3 216] As result, two categories victims greatest admirable deceptions history: the...
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