Central European University

Graduate Student, Medieval Studies

Thesis Title: Nicholas of Modruš 'The Glory of Illyria': Humanist Patriotism and Self-Fashioning in Renaissance Rome

About

Luka is a PhD Candidate (ABD) at the Central European University, Department of Medieval Studies. He holds an MA in Medieval Studies from the same university (2008), and an MA in History and Latin Language with Roman Literature from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb (2007). He held a Visiting Fellowship at the Harvard University History Department in 2010/2011, and a Short-term Frances A. Yates Fellowship at the Warburg Institute in 2011/2012. He was also a recipient of the Renaissance Society of America Research Grant for the project 'Reconstructing the Library of Nicholas of Modruš', supporting the research in Rome and Naples during October and November of 2011.

His project focuses on the career and works of Nicholas of Modruš (Nicolaus Modrussiensis, 1427-1480; Nikola Modruški, Niccolò Modrussiense), a Dalmatian humanist prelate who enjoyed a long career at the Curia during the pontificates of Paul II and Sixtus IV. The first part of the dissertation outlines the development of the bishop's humanistic interests, analyzing in particular the formation of his library and his use of it. The second part focuses on Nicholas' 'On the Wars of the Goths' (De bellis Gothorum) and The Defense of Ecclesiastical Liberty (Defensio ecclesiasticae libertatis), two works shaped by self-fashioning strategies and patriotic discourse. The dissertation includes the edition of 'On the Wars of the Goths', of Nicholas' correspondence, and also of poetry of Nicholas' protege, Perugian humanist Francesco Maturanzio. It also includes two catalogs: one of those manuscripts that preserve Nicholas' writings and one of those manuscripts and incunabula that formed his library.

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