Erasmus and the Croats in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries

Abstract

In this paper, the focus is on the Croatian humanistic writers and diplomats who embraced Erasmus, along with an overview of Erasmus's influence in the works in Croatian Renaissance humanists. The most interesting aspect is the epistolary connection between Erasmus and Croatian humanists. From the correspondence papers, it is known that Erasmus had contact with Jakov Banicevic from Korcula (Jacobus Bannisius, 1466-1532), Stjepan Brodaric from Slavonia (Stephanus Brodericus, 1490-1539) and Franjo Trankvil Andreis from Trogir (Tranquillus Andronicus Parthenius, 1490-1571). Itis only fragmentary items of information that have remained concerning Erasmus' presence in Croatian cultural history ; perhaps these will be supplemented by future research. Nevertheless, even from these few precious fragments it is clear that the reception of the great humanist was uninterrupted during the whole of the 16th century and that the attitude towards him was quite diverse, ranging from uninhibited expressions of admiration (Marko Marulic), via appeals to his authority (Vinko Pribojevic) to harsh criticism (Nikola Petrovic). Apart from records in chronicles, quotations of Erasmus' writings, the expression of personal value judgements, the forms of reception also include philological polemics and supplementation (Matija Vlacic) and the anthologising and printing of Erasmus' works (Ivanus Pergosic). It can be noted that the mentions of the Dutch humanist in the Dalmatian circle, in the first half of the century, remained within the context of private correspondence (only Marulic at least intended to publish his eulogy, although he was prevented by censorship) ; in the second half of the century the testimonies derive from Protestant or crypto-Protestant circles, and were published in print.