Pontano (Pontanus), Giovanni-Gioviano
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Pontano (Pontanus), Giovanni-Gioviano: (b. 1426, Cerreto, Umbria; d. 1503). Writer and scholar. While a student in Perugia, his studies were interrupted by political unrest and he turned to a military career. In 1447, he served in the army of King Alfonso I of Naples in the latter’s war against Florence. He returned with the army to Naples where he became the pupil, and later successor to Antonio Panormita, secretary to Ferdinand I. Pontano went on to serve in the same office under Alfonso the II and Ferdinand II. In 1486, he served as Ferdinand I’s ambassador to Pope Innocent VIII in arranging a treaty of peace. He impressed the pope who awarded him honors. Pontano was thwarted in his hopes of receiving high office under Alfonso II, for which he developed a great resentment towards the king. The most significant contributions of Pontano were in his connection to the Academy founded at Naples by Panormita. He helped promote it into one of Italy’s great Renaissance institutions. He produced some of that era’s finest Latin works of poetry, science, philosophy and several other topics. As an historian, he composed works on the wars between Ferdinand I of Naples and John, Duke of Anjou.