Rediscovering myths in the Renaissance: The Calydonian boar and the reception of Procopius’ Gothic war in Benevento

Benevento’s taking the Calydonian Boar as its emblem in the 15th century (firstly attested in a public document known as the ‘Codice Favagrossa’) is crucial evidence for the Renaissance response to the text of Procopius (Gothic War 1.11.8), sole testimony to Diomedes’ gift of the boar's tusks to the city. The article focuses on the cultural context of 15th and 16th century Benevento, and offers possible explanations of how, and by which way, the Calydonian Boar became the city’s emblem, by investigating the early reception of Cristoforo Persona’s first full Latin translation of the Gothic War. Furthermore, the article includes a discussion of the role played by the humanist and writer Nicolò Franco of Benevento, who describes in detail, in the mid-16th century, a Roman relief with a scene of suovetaurilia, interpreting it as a representation of the Calydonian Boar; the relief is still visible today, imbedded in the cathedral bell tower.