Originally presented as the author's thesis (Ph. D.--University of Edinburgh).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preliminary Material -- Introduction -- I. A Question of Attribution -- II. Stoicism and ‘Augustinianism’ in the Secretum -- III. All in the Mind: Otium in the De Otio Religioso -- IV. The Hidden Life of Solitude -- V. The Holy Passion of Friendship -- VI. Eloquence and Philosophy -- Epilogue -- Bibliography -- Index.

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Despite the high regard in which Francesco Petrarca (1304-74) held St. Augustine, scholars have been inclined to view Augustine’s impact on the content of Petrarch’s thought rather lightly. Wedded to the ancient classics, and prioritising literary imitation over intellectual coherence, Petrarch is commonly thought to have made inconsistent use of St. Augustine’s works. Adopting an entirely fresh approach, however, this book argues that Augustine’s early writings consistently provided Petrarch with the conceptual foundations of his approach to moral questions, and with a model for integrating classical precepts into a coherent Christian framework. As a result, this book offers a challenging re-interpretation of Petrarch’s humanism, and offers a provocative new interpretation of his role in the development of Italian humanism.