The Panegyric of Pliny the Younger in Portuguese Renaissance culture

Abstract

In Portuguese Renaissance culture, the panegyric speech, which has roots in Greek and Latin oratory, evolved from a simple laudatory piece into a fundamental tool for politics and ideology. This paper analyzes the use and transformation of the panegyric in Portuguese culture, focusing on how Pliny the Younger's Panegyric, rediscovered in the 15th century, became a key text. The panegyric, initially seen as a genre prone to flattery, was re-evaluated during the Renaissance as a vehicle for moral exhortation and for establishing a model of governance. The analysis focuses on figures such as Vasco Fernandes de Lucena and António Pinheiro, who translated and adapted Pliny's work. The study examines how the translations and speeches of these humanists served to legitimize the Avis dynasty and consolidate royal power, particularly during the reigns of King Duarte and King João II. The methodology of this study is based on the examination of the translations by Vasco Fernandes de Lucena, commissioned by Prince Pedro, and by António Pinheiro, as well as the Panegyric of King João III by João de Barros. The work shows how these authors used ancient rhetoric to construct an image of the monarch as the optimus princeps (perfect prince), reflecting the civic and military virtues of Trajan. The results demonstrate that, beyond simple formal imitation, Portuguese authors adapted the panegyric to instill ideological values, celebrate the kingdom's achievements, and justify royal power, thereby transforming a classical genre into a vital tool for political propaganda and Christian morality. The study concludes that the panegyric genre in Portugal was a sophisticated vehicle for state ideology and the education of rulers.