{"product_id":"the-chronicle-of-an-anonymous-roman-essential-14th-century-rome","title":"The Chronicle of an Anonymous Roman - Essential 14th-Century Rome","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Chronicle of an Anonymous Roman the reviewer recommends the edition primarily to students, historians, and readers of medieval Italian literature seeking a first-hand narrative of Rome during the Avignon papacy. The single biggest reason to buy is the chronicle's unique eyewitness account of mid-fourteenth-century events and its vivid portrait of Cola di Rienzo, material that appears nowhere else and that illuminates Rome's political and social place in a wider Mediterranean and European context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirst-hand narrative:\u003c\/strong\u003e Written by an unknown fourteenth-century Roman, the chronicle provides direct eyewitness detail on events in Rome between c.1325 and 1360.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnique account of Cola di Rienzo:\u003c\/strong\u003e The work gives the most detailed contemporary depiction of Cola, tracing his rise and influence on the city twice over.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContextual breadth:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text situates Rome within a broader Mediterranean and European framework, useful for comparative historical study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLiterary and historical value:\u003c\/strong\u003e As both history writing and medieval Italian literature, the chronicle is valuable for scholars of narrative form and content.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSurvival and rarity:\u003c\/strong\u003e The edition preserves material that nearly did not survive, making it important for primary-source collections.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Chronicle of an Anonymous Roman is best for graduate students, historians of late medieval Italy, and readers who value primary sources that illuminate social and political life under the Avignon papacy. Its combination of eyewitness description and literary flair makes it well suited for courses on medieval urban history or Italian narrative traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a broad general history of medieval Europe or a lightweight survey should look elsewhere; this edition is primarily a source text and commentary rather than a synthetic overview or popular narrative for casual reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides unparalleled contemporary detail on Rome and on Cola di Rienzo not available in other sources.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalances historical reporting with literary elements, making it useful for both historians and literary scholars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlaces Roman events in a wider Mediterranean and European context, aiding comparative research.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe material is source-focused and may feel dense to readers expecting a modern synthetic history.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Chronicle of an Anonymous Roman\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoverage dates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ec.1325-1360\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary subject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRome during the Avignon papacy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNotable figure\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCola di Rienzo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMedieval history and literature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMedieval and Renaissance Texts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor attribution\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnonimo Romano (anonymous), edition by James A Palmer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Chronicle of an Anonymous Roman is a must-buy for specialists and students who need a primary eyewitness narrative of fourteenth-century Rome and a rare, detailed portrait of Cola di Rienzo. It represents excellent value as a preserved primary source and as a work that links literary style with historical substance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a primary source?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The chronicle is a contemporary fourteenth-century eyewitness account and serves as a primary source for Rome c.1325-1360.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho edited or translated this edition?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis edition is associated with James A Palmer, who prepares the text within the Medieval and Renaissance Texts series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it cover Cola di Rienzo in detail?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The work provides the most detailed contemporary narrative of Cola di Rienzo's life and influence in late medieval Rome.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Anonimo Romano, James A Palmer","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48145186226395,"sku":"1599103842","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71qIMpJKrtL._SL1360.jpg?v=1768938947","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-chronicle-of-an-anonymous-roman-essential-14th-century-rome","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}