17 - Early Lives of Dante by Giovanni Boccaccio, Leonardo Bruni

Delve into the fascinating early lives of Dante, as depicted in two biographical accounts penned by influential Florentine literary figures. Giovanni Boccaccio, a pioneering Italian poet renowned for his monumental work, The Decameron, was one of the first to employ the Italian vernacular in literature, like Dante himself. Lionardo Bruni, a respected historian and man of letters, drew inspiration from Boccaccios account but sought to correct what he saw as a misrepresentation of Dante - an over-emphasis on Beatrices influence. This collection also features insightful articles by Florentine banker and diplomat Giovanni Villani, his historian nephew Filippo Villani, and Boccaccio. This podcast is a treasure trove for all Dante admirers and history enthusiasts! (Summary by Algy Pug)