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Petrarch's Early Career

Type Event Region Italy Time 1330–1340

In the 1330s Petrarch completed his early literary formation in Avignon court circles and the Provençal countryside, composing Latin epics like Afric…

Timeline

  1. 1330–1333Avignon · ProvencePetrarch (Francesco Petrarca, 1304–1374) fled to France with his father, studied law at Montpellier and Bologna, and in the early 1330s entered Avignon's courtly social circles, meeting the Colonna family and beginning to win renown for his classical learning and poetic talent.
  2. 1334–1336Vaucluse · ProvencePetrarch retreated to the Vaucluse countryside, immersing himself in classical texts, composing the Latin epic Africa, and drafting Italian lyric poetry; his 1336 ascent of Mont Ventoux became famous material for his reflections on classical and natural beauty.
  3. 1337–1340Northern Italy · ItalyPetrarch traveled between southern Italy and various Italian cities, holding ecclesiastical posts and continuing his poetry and prose; his revival of Cicero's style, emphasis on classical learning, and personal introspection spread among scholars, seen as a forerunner of Renaissance humanism, paving the way for his 1341 Roman laureation.

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