CATANZARO The book “La vie de Cassiodore, chancelier et premier ministre de Theodoric le Grand & de plusieurs autres rois d’Italie” by the French theologian and historian, Denis de Sainte, was presented yesterday afternoon in the Gissing Hall of the San Giovanni Monumental Complex. -Marthe, dedicated to one of the most illustrious men of Calabria: Flavius Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator, prominent figure between the 5th and 6th centuries, illustrious politician, man of letters, historian and religious. Remaining unpublished in Italian for over three centuries, published in Paris in 1694, the work represents an essential contribution to the knowledge of Cassiodorus. An initiative strongly supported by the “Italia Nostra” section of Catanzaro, led by Elena Bova, who in opening the proceedings spoke of “a cultural operation of considerable prestige which aims to contribute to the rediscovery and dissemination of Calabrian history which, still largely buried, is the foundation of the identity of our land”. In addition to thanking the board of Italia Nostra (the vice president Aldo Ventrici, the secretary Rossella Greco, the members Marisa Gigliotti, Maria Teresa La Vitola), and all those who made this initiative possible, starting from the Archaeological Superintendency of Catanzaro-Crotone, the President Bova recalled the role of his member Tonino Barbato, a passionate scholar of historical events in Catanzaro, who made available the antiquarian copy of the book which was never translated. Denis de Sainte-Marthe’s book was proposed to the section of Italia Nostra which involved the Institute of Studies on Cassiodorus and the Middle Ages in Calabria in Squillace, founded in Squillace in 1989 also at the behest of the then mayor Guido Rhodio, custodian of memory and promoter of historical and archaeological research on the Cassiodore area. Taking on the great cultural challenge, therefore, was the publisher Fabio Lagonia who entered into the merits of the publication, the translation of which was edited by Antonio Coltellaro. Also present was the Councilor for Culture of the Municipality of Catanzaro, Donatella Monteverdi. “I am particularly enthusiastic about this first national presentation for a few reasons: first of all because talking about Cassiodoro is a must – stated Lagonia – in the perspective of making this eminent figure of our territory known, and then because, again from our territory, something emerges editorial and cultural initiative which today allows us to finally read in Italian a fundamental work for scholars and not only on the life of Cassiodorus”. The president of the Chamber of Commerce of Catanzaro, Crotone and Vibo Valentia, Pietro Falbo, recalled the meetings promoted by the chamber of commerce with the general secretary of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology, Monsignor Carlo Dell’Osso, during which the progress of the “Vivarium Project” sponsored by the Pontifical Institute represented yesterday by Professor Domenico Benoci who is the scientific director of the project together with Professor Gabriele Castiglia. After the greetings of Professor Domenico Britti, president of the School of Higher Education of the UMG, also on behalf of the Magnificent Rector Giovanni Cuda, of Agazio Mellace, vice president of the Institute of Studies on Cassiodorus, the reports were held by Domenico Benoci, of the Pontifical Christian archaeological institute and by Maurizio Franconiere responsible for the cultural heritage office of the diocese of Catanzaro Squillace. Benoci recalled that the second archaeological campaign began on Monday 24 June and will end on 19 July. Last year, in the first phase, the territory of the area between Squillace and Stalettì was mapped, where the cultural activity of the illustrious scholar Cassiodoro flourished, with the aim of bringing the Vivarium to light. This year, however, excavation operations will begin in search of the monastery and other finds of certain archaeological interest. Further information will be provided in the conference scheduled for next June 30th at the diocesan museum of Squillace with the participation of professor Gabriele Castiglia, the chair of Topography of the Orbis christianus antiquus and scientific director of the campaign that arises from the beatification process, concluded in the Roman phase . Benoci has therefore outlined in detail the figure of Cassiodorus, a figure of exceptional importance throughout Western culture, who has long been burdened by the stigma attached to him by the German Protestant scholar Mommsen and subsequently rediscovered by countless subsequent studies by highly prestigious scholars, last in order of time Momigliano, Giardina, Cardini. Finally, Don Maurizio Franconiere focused on an exhaustive report of the rich medieval and Renaissance iconographic apparatus referring to Cassiodorus, together with the reception of his thought over the centuries.
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