Osservazioni sull'uso delle citazioni bibliche in una lettera di esortazione monastica di Ambrogio Traversari

The age of Humanism is characterized not only by a new, philological approach to the Latin and Greek classics, but also by the renewed attention paid to the Bible. Among the many intellectuals who meditated upon biblical texts and used them as a foundation for their actions was Ambrogio Traversari (1386–1439), a Camaldulensian monk and humanist. Analysis of the sources quoted in one of his letters, which he addressed to his Order in the name of Pope Eugenius IV shortly after being promoted to the office of Abbot General, will show how Traversari, in exhorting the monks to lead an authentic monastic life, founded his work not only on patristic literature, but also on the use of the scriptures. He left medieval allegory aside, instead being careful to draw a moral example for his religious order from the words of the Bible.