by Angelo Poliziano

Angelo Poliziano was born Angelo Ambrogini in the Tuscan community of Montepulciano in 1454; later, he took his pen name from the Latinization of his birthplace (Mons Politianus). The eldest child of Benedetto Ambrogini, a supporter of the Medici family, Poliziano went to Florence after his father was murdered in a local vendetta in 1464. Poliziano soon distinguished himself in the study of Latin and Greek. In 1470 he began translating Homer’s Iliad into Latin, dedicating part of the translation to Lorenzo de’ Medici, ruler of Florence since the previous year. His scholarly prowess attracted Lorenzo’s attention. By 1473 Poliziano was established in the Medici household as Lorenzo’s protégé and companion; two years later, he had also become Lorenzo’s secretary and the tutor of his son Piero. Poliziano continued to pursue his own literary career as well, composing...