Abstract

Ettore Lepore was one of the 20th century’s leading Italian historians of antiquity. Inspired by the recent publication of a volume of his essays edited by A. Storchi Marino, several of Lepore’s friends and students reminisce about his methodological teaching and the significance of his contributions not only to ancient studies but also to the history of modern and contemporary historiography. R. Delle Donne highlights Lepore’s focus on the connection between philology and political history, and his critical engagement with Crocean historicism. E. Federico revisits some autobiographical accounts to reconstruct the relationships between Lepore and his mentors. A.M. Rao recalls how Lepore deemed his experience at the Italian Institute for Historical Studies, founded by Benedetto Croce, as pivotal for his historical and civic education. T. Tagliaferri reconstructs his ongoing and fruitful dialogue with international historiography. Lastly, Storchi Marino reviews some aspects of Lepore’s interpretation of historians of ancient history in Southern Italy between the 19th and 20th centuries.