241-275

• Παπαδημητρίου,  Παναγιώτης Γ.

The discourse De Litteris Graecis delivered by Theodore Gaza on his assumption of the Chair of Greek Studies at the University of Ferrara in 1446, is the first inaugural speech of the sort that came down to us from Rennaissance Italy. It casts light on the difficulties that confronted Byzantine scholars in their efforts to justify the study of Greek Language and Literature, at a time when Greek was still considered not really indispensable for the Italian Humanists. The main body of the arguments of this well constructed and eloquent speech is based on the precepts of rhetor Ilermogenes for exhortative speeches: utility, usage, and easiness. The dividends that one might expect from learning Greek is the achievement of eloquence in Latin, as well as promotion of Latin erudition and scholarship in general. To support his arguments, Gaza quotes mainly Cicero and Quintilianus, and refers to the Greek learning and the consequent achievements of prominent ancient Romans and leading Humanists of his time. The Syllabus that Gaza followed in his attempt to foster the rhetorical aims of Italian Humanism includes works of Demosthenes, Plato, Homer and Xenophon. The references to Aristotle, whom he apparently did not teach, point out the inadequacies of the Latin translations of the philosophical texts and the poor quality of the Greek original texts then available. The speech concludes with the praise of prince Lionello d’Este, patron of the Arts at Ferrara, and a renewed exhortation to the future students that recapitulates the main arguments.

• Languages and Literature

• Ελληνική φιλολογία
• Greek language
• Greek literature

Περιέχει σημειώσεις, Ευχαριστίες οφείλω στο Ελληνικό Ινστιτούτο Βυζαντινών και Μεταβυζαντινών Σπουδών Βενετίας καθώς και στη Διευθύντρια, Καθηγ. Χρύσα Μαλτέζου, για τη φιλοξενία που μου προσφέρθηκε στη Βενετία. Οι έρευνές μου στις βιβλιοθήκες της πόλης κατέστησαν δυνατή τη βιβλιογραφική ενημέρωση και την ολοκλήρωση της παρούσας μελέτης.