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Ancient Quotes in Descriptions of the Members of the House of Cilli in Piccolomini’s Historia Austrialis

Abstract

For the characterisation of the members of the House of Cilli in his Historia Austrialis, Piccolomini used quotations, allusion, paraphrases and other connections to ancient Latin texts. His readers would have recognised them, and the original context would have influenced their understanding of his new work. This article is designed as an overview of allusions to Suetonius, Saint Augustine, Seneca Minor, Terence, senatus consultum ultimum, and Sallust in the descriptions of Frederick II of Cilli, Ulrich II of Cilli, and Barbara of Cilli. A comparison of the original context and Piccolomini’s use shows that the original context gives a new dimension to the understanding of Historia Austrialis. At the same time, Piccolomini uses works from the typical school curriculum to emphasise his message that the members of the House of Cilli were typical villains and corrupt noblemen.