Antoniano, Silvio
Antoniano, Silvio
Cardinal, writer on education, b. 31 December 1540 in Rome; d. there 16 August 1603. He was educated at the University of Ferrara, which conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Laws (1556) and appointed him professor of classical literature. In 1563 Pius IV called him to the chair of belles-lettres in the Sapienza University, a position in which he enjoyed the friendship of distinguished churchmen especially of St. Charles Borromeo. He resigned his chair, however, in 1566, took up the study of theology under the direction of St. Philip Neri and was ordained priest 12 June, 1568. During the latter part of the sixteenth century Humanism made rapid progress in Italy under the leadership of men like Sadolet, Piccolomini, and Valiero. Sharing their enthusiasm Antoniano devoted himself to the study of educational problems and at the instance of St. Charles Borromeo, wrote his principal work on the Christian education of children. (Tre libri dell’ educazione cristiana de’ figliuoli, Verona, 1583.) Clement VIII appointed Antoniano Secretary of Papal Briefs (1593), and created him cardinal, 3 March, 1599. His work passed through several editions in Italian and was translated into French by Guignard (Troyes, 1856; Paris, 1873), and into German by Kunz (Freiburg, 1888). Its principal features are insight into the mind of the child, sympathy with its dangers and needs, and solicitude for its moral training. Valuable suggestions are also given on physical culture, on the education of all classes of the people and on the preparation of teachers for their work. The other writings of Antoniano, many of which have not been published, deal with literary, historical, and liturgical subjects. Their author was one of the compilers of the Roman Catechism and a member of the commission charged by Clement VIII with the revision of the Breviary.
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CASTIGLIONE, Silvii Antoniano vita (Rome, 1610); MAZZUCHELLI, Gli scrittori d’Italia (Brescia, 1753); Biographical sketches prefixed to French and German translations of his works.
E.A. PACE Transcribed by John Fobian In memory of Joe Natoli
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume ICopyright © 1907 by Robert Appleton CompanyOnline Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. KnightNihil Obstat, March 1, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., CensorImprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York
Fuente: Catholic Encyclopedia
Antoniano, Silvio
an Italian cardinal, was born at Rome, Dec. 31, 1540. Son of a cloth- dealer, he at first applied himself to the study of the fine arts, and obtained the name of II Poetino. He gained by his talents the favor of Hercules II, duke of Ferrara, who appointed him, at the age of sixteen, professor of eloquence at Ferrara. At the death of his patron, he was called to Rome in 1559 by Pius IV, who made him secretary of cardinal Charles Borromeo. While acting in this capacity he wrote the Acts of the Council of Milan, and thereby gained a number of friends and patrons. Afterwards he was appointed professor of belles-lettres in the College of Sapienza at Rome. His lectures were brilliant, and it is said that on the day when he commenced the explanation of Cicero’s oration Pro Marcello he had twenty-five cardinals in his audience. He was one of the most distinguished members of the Academy of the Vatican, established by cardinal Borromeo. He at length gave up belles-lettres in order to devote himself entirely to the study of philosophy and’ theology. He was ordained priest in 1567, and was appointed a little later secretary of the Sacred College. The popes Gregory XIII and Sixtus V confided to him several missions, which he performed successfully. Finally, Clement VIII made him canon of the basilica of the Vatican, and then cardinal, March 3, 1598. He died Aug. 15, 1603. He wrote, Dell’ Educazione Cristiana de’ Figliuoli Libri Tre (Verona, 1584; republished at Cremona, and then at Naples):-Ornationes Tredecim (published after his death [Rome, 1610] by Joseph Castiglione). His Life is found in this last work. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.