Abstract

The article investigates the work of Giuliano Dati (1445-1524), who is noted for his ottava rima poems, including the two Cantari dell’India. Particular attention is given to his interest in teratological descriptions and the legendary figure of Prester John. The first part of the essay highlights possible points of intersection between Dati and Ariosto, presenting some potential intertextual connections between the two authors. The second section is dedicated to the description of the Basilica of San Crisogono in Trastevere and the lost giant bones once kept there. It will be shown how Dati’s intention was to convey a moralizing message while making difficult sources accessible to a broader audience. Finally, the essay points out the only known manuscript version of Dati’s Trattato del massimo Prete Ianni, preserved in the Riccardiana Library in Florence.