Gaetano De Sanctis facts for kids
Gaetano De Sanctis (born October 15, 1870, in Rome – died April 9, 1957) was an important Italian historian. He studied ancient times, from the stories of Homer to the Byzantine Empire. He was also a lifetime senator, which means he was a senator for his whole life. Many people think his book, Storia dei Romani, is a huge and very important work about Roman history. He also taught other famous historians, like Arnaldo Momigliano.
A Brave Historian
In 1929, Gaetano De Sanctis became the head of ancient history at the University of Rome. In 1931, Italy was ruled by a group called the Fascist regime, led by Benito Mussolini. The government made all professors swear an oath to them. Gaetano De Sanctis was one of only twelve professors who bravely refused to take this oath. Because he refused, his work and teaching were greatly limited until after World War II ended.
After World War II, Gaetano De Sanctis was able to work freely again. From 1944 to 1952, he led the Italian Numismatic Institute, which studies coins and money. He also became president of the "Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana" (Treccani) from 1947 to 1954. This institute creates important encyclopedias. In 1946, he was chosen to be a member of the American Philosophical Society, a group that honors great thinkers.
Many people consider Gaetano De Sanctis to be the most important Roman historian of the 1900s.
His Major Works
Gaetano De Sanctis wrote many important books and articles. His most famous work is a multi-volume series called Storia dei Romani, which means "History of the Romans."
- Storia dei Romani:
- I. Rome from its beginnings to the monarchy (1907)
- II. The conquest of leadership in Italy (1907)
- III.1. The age of the Punic Wars (1916)
- III.2. The age of the Punic Wars (1917)
- IV.1. The founding of the Empire: from the Battle of Naraggara to the Battle of Pydna (1923)
- IV.2/1. Life and thought in the age of great conquests (1953)
- IV.2/2. From Quiritarian law to Praetorian law (1957)
His shorter writings are collected in a series called Scritti minori, which means "Minor Writings." These were published between 1966 and 1972.
See also
In Spanish: Gaetano De Sanctis para niños
