CreatorAenea Silvio Piccolomini (Papa Pius II)

Place of OriginNürnberg

Date1496

DescriptionThese letters of Pope Pius II represent the oldest published statement on the Latin roots of the Romanian people and their language. A humanist scholar, Pope Pius II was a convincing promoter of the Romanians’ Latin origin. Pius II appears to have gathered information on the language and culture of the Wallachians from the Dominican and Franciscan missionaries in the region. His strong beliefs on the matter were also elaborated upon in his works “Commentaries rerum memorabilium” (1464) and “Historia rerum ubique gestarum” (1489).

Tagsepistolae familiares, iasi

Dimensions15,5 cm x 10,5 cm

Material/MediumPaper, Leather-bound with vegetal impressions, wood bark

Image Rights HolderThe “Mihai Eminescu” Central University Library Iaşi, Romania

Photographic CreditsThe “Mihai Eminescu” Central University Library Iaşi, Romania