Introduction

Abstract

This Introduction presents Onofrio Panvinio (1530–68), an Augustinian friar who gained prominence as a historian of both the Catholic Church and Roman antiquity. Historiography in sixteenth-century Rome and the interrelationship between history and theology have been awaiting a profound re-examination. Panvinio’s case enables us to trace changes in the approach to history-writing across the epochs of the Renaissance and the Catholic Reformation. This Introduction discusses Panvinio’s methods, which were modelled on humanist source criticism. It highlights differences between Panvinio and the more strongly confessionalized and dogmatized historiography (such as that of Cesare Baronio) which came after him. Lastly, there is a brief discussion of the terms Catholic Reform and Counter Reformation.