The Popular Politicization of Translating: Brunetto Latini and the Caesarian Orations

The contribution discusses the results of the recent critical edition of the volgarizzamento of Cicero’s “Orazioni cesariane” written by Brunetto Latini. In particular, the problems of attribution, dating and commissioning of the translation are considered. The author proposes to identify the context of Brunetto Latini’s operation in the preparatory period for the peace of Cardinal Latino Malabranca in Florence (1280). Some conclusions are drawn from this discussion, in particular in relation to the “Republican” anti-Cesarianism of Brunetto and his political vision of the activity of translation