The Treatise of Lorenzo Valla on the Donation of Constantine

"The treatise of Lorenzo Valla on the Donation of Constantine" presents a landmark work of Renaissance scholarship that shook the foundations of political and religious power. Lorenzo Valla's meticulous analysis dissects the "Donation of Constantine," a document purporting to grant the papacy dominion over vast territories and secular authority. Valla, through careful linguistic and historical scrutiny, demonstrates the document to be a forgery. His expos had profound implications for the Papal States and the Holy Roman Empire, challenging the legitimacy of papal claims and contributing significantly to the intellectual ferment of the Renaissance. This volume offers direct access to Valla's groundbreaking arguments, pivotal for understanding the complex interplay of church and state in European history. A crucial text for anyone interested in political history, Renaissance thought, or the history of Christianity.

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