The King of France, hospes or hostis?Points of view on France and the French in the Venatio of the humanist poet Ercole Strozzi (Ferrara, c. 1473-1508)
Abstract: E. Strozzi left two versions of his cynegetical poem: the Thera transmitted by a single manuscript and the Venatio printed by Aldus Manutius. Charles VIII, while he was about to undertake his “descent to Italy”, organized an hunting party in honour to his Italian hosts. This epyllion, which offers a perfect example of a “work in progress”, illustrates the ambiguous, versatile and complex position of the Ferrarese poet and statesman towards the king of France and his subjects.
