On running an agricultural business: the ancient Roman text in a splendid Renaissance manuscript from Florence
Columella - De Re Rustica
Florence (Italy) — First half of the 15th century

Columella - De Re Rustica
Florence (Italy) — First half of the 15th century
The twelve-book work by Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella (4 – ca. 70) was discovered by Poggio Bracciolini (1380–1459)
Pope Sixtus IV (1414–84), a great bibliophile, owned this splendid Florentine manuscript of the work
It is adorned by large, historiated initials, refined miniatures, and finely woven frames reminiscent of Insular Illumination
Columella - De Re Rustica
- De Re Rustica
- De re rustica di Lucio Giunio Moderato Columella
Short Description
The Roman Empire may have been carved out by its legions, but it was Rome’s farmers, engineers, and bureaucrats that made it run. Rome itself and other cities were connected to the diligent farmers who grew their food by a massive infrastructure network of paved roads and trade fleets travelling through waters freed from pirates by Roman triremes. The techniques utilized by Roman farmers to feed the Empire are detailed in this precious manuscript.
Columella - De Re Rustica
The Council of Constance (1414–18) was a famous ecumenical council resolving the Western Schism that left European allegiances divided between pope and anti-pope since 1378. Aside from resolving the great religious-political crisis, an important discovery was made in the course of those four years: the complete text of the twelve-book De Re Rustica by Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella (4 – ca. 70), the most important source on Roman agriculture.
A Roman Farming Manual
On Rural Affairs was found by Poggio Bracciolini (1380–1459) and his assistant Bartolomeo di Montepulciano as they explored the libraries of Switzerland and France. The books are divided among the following themes: soils, viticulture, fruits, olive trees, big animals, small animals, fish and fowl, wild animals and bee-keeping, gardens, personnel management, calendars, and household management. The work was reproduced in numerous manuscripts, including the sublime specimen at hand, which originated in the first half of the 15th century, probably in Florence judging by the frontispiece. A coat of arms indicates that this codex was once owned by Pope Sixtus IV (1414–84), a great bibliophile. The beautiful white parchment pages were adorned with large, historiated initials, refined miniatures, and finely woven frames reminiscent of Insular Illumination. The illustrations directly and artfully reflect the content of the text, indicating that the illuminator worked closely with the scribe. A truly magnificent union of Ancient Roman agriculture and Renaissance Florentine illumination!
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- De Re Rustica
De re rustica di Lucio Giunio Moderato Columella - Origin
- Florence (Italy)
- Date
- First half of the 15th century
- Epochs
- Style
- Language
- Script
- Humanistic
- Content
- "De Re Rustica" and "De Arboribus"
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „Columella - De Re Rustica“
Columella - De Re Rustica
- Publisher
- Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato – Rome, 2005
- Limited Edition
- 530 copies
- Commentary
-
1 volume by Patrizia Formica
Language: Italian - More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
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