1494 - Literature

Literature

Florentine philosopher Marsilio Ficino retires to the country following the expulsion of the Medici family. Now 61, he has been a major influence in the Renaissance revival of Platonism, which he has tried to reconcile with Christianity.

Scholar-philosopher Giovanni Pico della Mirandola dies at Florence November 17 at age 31, having been absolved from the charge of heresy 2 years ago by Pope Alexander VI. He leaves incomplete a treatise against the enemies of the Church, a work that includes a critique of astrology.

The humanist poet Politian dies at Florence September 28 or 29 at age 40.