[hprints-00683151, v2] Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pius II ... - Hprints.org

hprints-00683151, version 2 - 19 Mar 2013
3.3. Splendour of Pavia and Milan
[55] I do not attach importance to the contention that the Greeks ought to meet a
grandiose Latin Church. But if this argument should carry any weight, then where
can you find magnificence better than in Pavia? Just think of how honourably, how
splendidly, how solemnly, and how extravagantly the duke would receive the
Emperor of Constantinople 563 . Or is there any other man who lives in a more costly
or magnificent fashion than this duke? An account of his largess would seem more
stupendous than credible. When he shows generosity, he does it at his own behest.
The Greeks will behold the grandeur of this prince with admiration and awe, and
with their own eyes they shall see what they had already heard. Then they will
acknowledge the truth of the Homerian saying that a reputation is never quite false
if it is sung 564 by many people. 565 Here, indeed, they shall find that reality surpasses
reputation. Sometimes the Greeks would go to Milan, and there they would see a
large population, wealthy citizens, and great splendour; they would almost believe
that what they see is another world! They would say that never have they seen so
many artists nor so many fabulous events. So, if it is grandeur that makes the Church
venerable, Milan would really be the best location. 566
563
Johannes VIII Palaiologos
564
I.e. praised
565
This is a direct quote from Leonardi Bruni: De Militia, 1422: Fama autem, ut inquit Homerus, nunquam penitus vana
est, quam populi multi decantant. Bruni, p. 384. Cf. Homer: Odyssey, 19, 333-334: But if one be blameless and have a
blameless heart, his fame do strangers bear far and wide among all men. Translation quoted after the Loeb ed. of
1960. Cf. Peter Thiermann: Die Orationes Homeri des Leonardi Bruno Aretino, Leiden 1993, p. 385. According to
Thiermann, the quote refers to Homer’s Odyssey, 24,196 ff.: Therefore the fame of her *Penelope’s+ virtue shall never
perish, but the immortals shall make among men on earth a pleasant song in honour of constant Penelope. Quoted
after the Loeb edition of 1960. The quote is a testimony of Piccolomini’s usage of Bruni, whom he much admired
566
Here Piccolomini possibly sends up a “test balloon” for the choice of Milan itself as the venue for the council. It
would, of course, have been an international scoop for Milan, but it was quite out of the question as the other Italian
powers would never agree
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