DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36838#0097
FEDERICO DA MONTEFELTRO 58
that he may, not without cause, be compared to the
most renowned heroes of olden time A
Angelo Poliziano praises Duke Federico as the
equal of Lorenzo de' Medici in learning and patronage
of letters ; Marsilio Ficino calls him the pattern of a
wise ruler and perfect man ; and his own subject.
Giovanni Santi, extols him as the ideal of a great and
good Prince. In his boyhood Federico was a pupil
of the illustrious Mantuan teacher Vittorino da Feltre,
whose portrait he kept before his eyes as a constant
reminder of his teaching. The court of Urbino was
framed on the precepts which he had learnt in Casa
Giocosa, and became in its turn a school where
Italian princes sent their sons to be trained in knightly
exercises and elegant manners. Although much of
his time was spent in active warfare, he never ceased
to cultivate his mind. Every week he visited the
Franciscan convent, and discussed philosophical and
theological subjects with the friars. In his last
years he studied Aristotle with a learned Dominican,
Messer Lazzaro, and mathematics with a German
professor, known as Messer Paolo. Pope Pius II.
records how, when riding by his side at Tivoli, under
tiie burning sun and amid the dust raised by the
cavalry, the Duke discussed the Trojan war with
him, and could not come to any decisive conclusion
as to the precise boundaries of Asia Minor.^ His
household, we learn from Vespasiano, was regulated on
the pattern of a religious community. No gambling
or bad language was allowed, and every member of
the family had a definite office with a time-table, and
definite instructions as to the discharge of his duties.
Federicos own fare and habits were of the simplest
kind. Livy or Tacitus were usually read aloud at
^ 'Cortegiano,' i. 2. 2 pio <Comm.,' p. 131.
that he may, not without cause, be compared to the
most renowned heroes of olden time A
Angelo Poliziano praises Duke Federico as the
equal of Lorenzo de' Medici in learning and patronage
of letters ; Marsilio Ficino calls him the pattern of a
wise ruler and perfect man ; and his own subject.
Giovanni Santi, extols him as the ideal of a great and
good Prince. In his boyhood Federico was a pupil
of the illustrious Mantuan teacher Vittorino da Feltre,
whose portrait he kept before his eyes as a constant
reminder of his teaching. The court of Urbino was
framed on the precepts which he had learnt in Casa
Giocosa, and became in its turn a school where
Italian princes sent their sons to be trained in knightly
exercises and elegant manners. Although much of
his time was spent in active warfare, he never ceased
to cultivate his mind. Every week he visited the
Franciscan convent, and discussed philosophical and
theological subjects with the friars. In his last
years he studied Aristotle with a learned Dominican,
Messer Lazzaro, and mathematics with a German
professor, known as Messer Paolo. Pope Pius II.
records how, when riding by his side at Tivoli, under
tiie burning sun and amid the dust raised by the
cavalry, the Duke discussed the Trojan war with
him, and could not come to any decisive conclusion
as to the precise boundaries of Asia Minor.^ His
household, we learn from Vespasiano, was regulated on
the pattern of a religious community. No gambling
or bad language was allowed, and every member of
the family had a definite office with a time-table, and
definite instructions as to the discharge of his duties.
Federicos own fare and habits were of the simplest
kind. Livy or Tacitus were usually read aloud at
^ 'Cortegiano,' i. 2. 2 pio <Comm.,' p. 131.