The Chrysis of Enea Silvio Piccolomini

This book offers an accessible translation and detailed commentary of Piccolomini''s only comedy, Chrysis . Enea Silvio Piccolomini (1405-1464), also known as Pope Pius II, is among the Quattrocento''s most interesting personalities. An intellectual and public figure, Piccolomini enjoyed remarkable range, one aspect of which is his capacity as a writer and, specifically as regards this volume, as a comedic dramaturge. This book offers a performable English translation of his play, Chrysis, along with a detailed introduction and accessibly written commentary. The Chrysis is unabashedly a Roman comedy written in the Plautine manner and reveals an awareness of many Latin literary forms. Within its historical context, the Chrysis is a highly interesting piece of Renaissance drama while being, at the same time, by reason of its never having been performed, not as fully appreciated as it might have been. Piccolomini does not seem to have wanted it to be made public, for the play''s plot involves Catholic priests visiting a brothel. However, the Chrysis is also replete with classical allusions, from Catullusto Juvenaland Martial, thus demonstrating that Piccolomini was a serious poet and admirer of Latin literature.

List of contents

Introduction

Text and Translation
Commentary

Appendix A: Staging
Appendix B: Morphology and Orthography
Appendix C: Meter
Bibliography
Index

About the author

Cynthia Liu is Lecturer in Classical Languages and Literature at the University of Oxford, UK.
R. A. Smith is Professor Emeritus of Classics at Baylor University, USA.

Product details

• Authors: Cynthia Liu, R A Smith, R. A. Smith, Smith R. A.
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 13.11.2025
• EAN: 9781350419964
• ISBN: 978-1-350-41996-4
• No. of pages: 240
• Dimensions: 154 mm x 236 mm x 20 mm
• Series: Bloomsbury Neo-Latin Series: Early Modern Texts and Anthologies
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature; European History, Latin, LITERARY CRITICISM / Renaissance, LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Ancient & Classical, FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY / Latin, Italy, Classical texts, Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500, Literary studies: c 1500 to c 1800, Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval, HISTORY / Europe / Renaissance