Histoire littéraire d'Italie (1/9)

The volume begins with a biographical notice of the author and proceeds to a chronological survey of Italian letters, tracing developments from classical Greek and Latin inheritances through the institutional and cultural shifts that followed the transfer of imperial authority. It analyzes the growing influence of ecclesiastical literature, the disruption caused by barbarian invasions, and the resultant decline and later revival of literary life. Interwoven are critical appraisals of genres and authors, discussion of literary controversies and musical-literary debates, and close readings supported by documentary evidence and historical commentary.