Beroaldo, Filippo the Elder (1453-1505)

Italian humanist lecturer and writer. From 1472 until his death he was professor of rhetoric at Bologna University. He produced a series of editions and commentaries on classical texts, the most extensive of which was his commentary on Apuleius' Golden Ass.

Beroaldo's wide-ranging knowledge was displayed in his discussion of adages, which was imitated by his pupil Polydore Vergil and, indirectly, by Erasmus. His classical commentaries included Aulus Gellius, St Basil, Juvenal, Pliny the Younger, Plutarch, Suetonius, and Vegetius. He also acted as public orator to the Bentivoglio rulers of Bologna.