Johann Engerds (1547–?) Neolatin Epic Poems on Important Noble Families (Johann Engerds (1547–?) neulateinische epische Dichtungen auf bedeutende Adelsfamilien)

Abstract

During the 16th century, Neo-Latin epic poets in Germany strove for protection and patronage by means of their work, just as their precursors in the Italian Quattrocento. An example par excellence of such a poet – who, however, eventually failed – was Johann Engerd (born in 1547), professor for poetics at the university of Ingolstadt. In the following paper, the author presents Engerd’s biography and gives a general overview of his literary production. In a second step, the author discusses in more detail his epic poems which celebrate particular powerful families whose protection Engerd was seeking: the Montfort, the Fugger, and the Madruzzo families. The special focus in our discussion rests on the literary technique and the self-fashioning of the author in his works.