3 Review(s)

In A Decade of Italian Women, Volume 2, Thomas Adolphus Trollope continues his exploration of influential Italian women from the Renaissance to the early modern period. This volume delves into the lives of women such as the poet Veronica Gambara, who corresponded with rulers and intellectuals across Europe, and Olympia Morata, a scholar who defended her humanist and Protestant beliefs amidst significant religious and social pressure. Trollope showcases these women as both participants in and shapers of Italy’s cultural and intellectual currents.Each biography is presented with a mix of historical documentation and vivid narrative, highlighting the remarkable resilience these women displayed while navigating a society dominated by male authority. Trollope emphasizes how these figures contributed to fields ranging from politics and literature to religion and reform, capturing their courage and intellect. He reveals their nuanced roles within Italian society, celebrating their achievements as well as the personal challenges and sacrifices they faced.