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Scipione AmmiratoFlorentine historian of the 16th-17th centuries.
Date of Birth: 07.10.1531
Country:  Italy |
Content:
Sciprone Ammirato
Early Life and EducationSciprone Ammirato was born on October 7, 1531, in the aristocratic family of Lecce. Although his father envisioned a legal career for him, Ammirato's sojourn in Naples from 1547 to 1551 ignited his passion for literature. He briefly served in the church in Venice and later joined the service of Pope Pius IV.
The Florentine Historian
In 1570, Ammirato relocated to Florence, where Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici became his patron. Cosimo commissioned Ammirato to write the history of Florence and its state, a task that occupied him for the remainder of his life and became his magnum opus.
Ammirato's "Istorie Fiorentine" (History of Florence) is a chronological account of exceptional historical value. Its first edition, published in 1600, covered the period up to 1434. The second edition, released in 1841, extended the narrative to 1574 (Cosimo de' Medici's death) and was edited by Ammirato's adopted son, known as Scipione Ammirato the Younger.
Other Works and Political Views
Beyond his historical work, Ammirato wrote genealogies of aristocratic families in Naples and Florence. He also authored "Discorsi sopra Cornelio Tacito" and "Rime." Politically, Ammirato vehemently opposed the ideas of Niccolò Machiavelli.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1595, Ammirato received a doctorate in theology. He passed away on January 11, 1601, in Florence. Ammirato's "Istorie Fiorentine" remains a cornerstone of Florentine history and has been extensively consulted by scholars over the centuries.
