Raffaello Fabretti facts for kids
Raphael Fabretti (born in 1618, died on January 7, 1700) was an Italian expert on ancient history. He was known for his deep knowledge of the past. He spent his life studying old ruins, writings, and monuments. His work helped people understand more about ancient Rome.
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Raphael Fabretti: Explorer of Ancient Rome
Raphael Fabretti was a famous Italian scholar. He lived a long time ago, from 1618 to 1700. He was an "antiquarian," which means he studied ancient times. He loved to learn about old buildings, statues, and writings. His work helped us understand the Roman Empire better.
Early Life and Education
Raphael was born in a town called Urbino in Italy. He studied law in two different towns. He earned his doctorate degree when he was just eighteen years old. This showed how smart and dedicated he was.
A Career in Public Service
After his studies, Fabretti went to Rome. There, a powerful church leader, Cardinal Lorenzo Imperiali, noticed him. The Cardinal hired Fabretti for important jobs. He worked for the Pope's representative in Spain for thirteen years.
Even while working, Fabretti kept up his love for ancient history. On his way back to Italy, he stopped to study old ruins. He looked at monuments and ancient objects in Spain, France, and Italy.
Back in Rome, he became a judge. Later, he worked for the Pope's representative in Urbino. After three years, he returned to Rome. He was invited by Cardinal Gaspare Carpegna. Fabretti then focused completely on his historical research.
Discovering Ancient Secrets
Raphael Fabretti spent a lot of time exploring. He carefully examined old monuments and inscriptions. These were found in the Campagna, an area around Rome. He even had a horse named "Marco Polo" by his friends. This was because he traveled so much for his studies.
Later, Pope Innocent XII gave him an important job. He became the keeper of the archives at Castel Sant'Angelo. This is a famous old building in Rome. Fabretti kept this job until he passed away. His amazing collection of ancient writings and objects was bought by Cardinal Giovanni Francesco Stoppani. It is now in the ducal palace in Urbino. You can still see it there today.
Important Books and Discoveries
Fabretti wrote several important books. These books helped people learn a lot about ancient Rome.
Understanding Roman Water Systems
One of his famous books was De Aquis et Aquaeductibus veteris Romae. This book was published in 1680. It talked about the water systems and aqueducts of ancient Rome. These were amazing structures that brought water to the city. His work helped us understand how they worked.
Fabretti also had a disagreement with another scholar, Johann Friedrich Gronovius. They argued about how to understand certain old texts. Fabretti used a special name, "Iasitheus," during this argument. He later used this name as part of a group of scholars called the Academy of the Arcadians.
The Story of Trajan's Column
Another important book was De Columna Trajani Syntagma, published in 1683. This book explained the famous Trajan's Column in Rome. This column tells the story of a Roman war through carvings. In this book, Fabretti also explained an ancient Roman carving. It showed the war and capture of Troy. This carving is now in the Capitol building in Rome.
Explaining Ancient Inscriptions
His book Inscriptionum Antiquarum Explicatio came out in 1699. This work helped to explain many old Roman inscriptions. These are writings carved into stone or metal. They give us clues about life in ancient times.
Fabretti also wrote shorter articles and letters. These were published in scholarly magazines of his time. His work greatly helped people understand the history of ancient Rome.
