Antiquity Studies

Series | Antiquity Studies
Edited book | Epigraphic Falsification
Chapter | Falsari piemontesi del XVI secolo

Falsari piemontesi del XVI secolo

Monsù Pingon e gli altri

Abstract

During the 16th century, the practice of erroneous transcription and falsification of Roman inscriptions was originated in Piedmont by humanists, scholars and collectors, about whom little surviving information exists. This essay seeks to gather it systematically. A leading figure in this process was Emanuele F. Pingone, who, at the service of Duke Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, produced encomiastic works for the glory of the Duke and for the history of Turin, resorting to legends, miracles and ancient inscriptions; also elsewhere in Piedmont, such as at Asti and Vercelli, numerous falsae were produced, and were later easily unmasked by Lugi Bruzza, Carlo Promis and Theodor Mommsen, for the editing of the CIL V (1877). Transcriptions made by scholars and collectors in the 16th century are often the only evidence for epigraphic documents, that are now lost.


Open access | Peer reviewed

Submitted: July 3, 2019 | Accepted: Sept. 8, 2019 | Published Dec. 16, 2019 | Language: it

Keywords ManuscriptsRenaissanceForgeriesLatin epigraphyPingone


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