Cecco d'Ascoli. Haereticus

Cecco d'Ascoli, a 14th-century poet and scholar, emerges as a complex character in this exploration of his life and ideas. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a society grappling with the tensions between emerging scientific thought and entrenched religious beliefs. Cecco's work, rich with astrological and philosophical concepts, reveals a mind both innovative and controversial, often challenging the norms of his time.

Benfatti delves into Cecco's poetry and writings, highlighting how they reflect a deep intellectual engagement with the world. The book navigates the paradox of Cecco’s brilliance and the hostility he faced from the Church and his contemporaries, painting a vivid portrait of a figure caught between admiration and persecution.

Ultimately, the work invites readers to reconsider the boundaries of heresy and inspiration. By examining Cecco d'Ascoli's legacy, Benfatti illuminates the struggles of a thinker whose contributions were both ahead of his time and fraught with danger.