Flavio Biondo
Flavio Biondo (
Latin Flavius Blondus) (1392 – June 4, 1463) was an Italian
Renaissance humanist historian. He was one of the first historians to use a three-period division of history (Ancient, Medieval, Modern) and is known as one of the
first archaeologists.
Born in the capital city of
Forlì, in the
Romagna region, Flavio was well schooled from an early age, studying under Ballistario of Cremona. During a brief stay in Milan, he discovered and transcribed the unique manuscript of
Cicero's dialogue ''Brutus''. He moved to
Rome in 1433 where he began work on his writing career; he was appointed secretary to the
Cancelleria under
Eugene IV in 1444 and accompanied Eugene in his exile in Ferrara and Florence. After his patron's death, Flavio was employed by his papal successors,
Nicholas V,
Callixtus III and the humanist
Pius II.
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