Ambrose the Camaldulian, (Ambrogio Traversari) (1386-1439), born near Florence at the village of Portico. At the age of fourteen he entered the Camaldulian Order in the monastery of Sta Maria degli Angeli, and rapidly became a leading theologian and Hellenist. In Greek literature his master was Emmanuel Chrysoloras. He became general of the order in 1431, and was a leading advocate of the
papacy. This attitude he
showed clearly when he attended the [Council of Basel]
? as
legate of [Pope Eugenius IV]
?. So strong was his hostility to
some of the delegates that he described Basel as a western
Babylon. He likewise supported the pope at Ferrara and
Florence, and worked hard in the attempt to reconcile
the Eastern and Western Churches. Though this cause was
unsuccessful, Ambrose is interesting as typical of the new
humanism which was growing up within the church. Thus while among his own colleagues he seemed merely a hypocritical and arrogant priest, in his relations with his brother humanists, such as [Cosimo de Medici]
?, he appeared as the student of classical antiquities and especially of Greek theological authors. His chief works are: --
Hodoeporicon, an account of a journey taken by the pope's command, during which he visited the monasteries of Italy; a translation of Palladius'
Life of Chrysostom; of
Nineteen Sermons of Ephraem Syrus; of the St Basil
On Virginity. A number of MSS. remain in the library of
St Mark at Venice. He died on the 20th of October 1439.
Initial text from 1911 encyclopedia -- Please update as needed
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