They were the full and final fruition of medieval thought, and after them Italian literature entered upon a new movement.
Petrarch was the father of the revival of ancient literature.

Not only was he himself a profound student of it, but he suggested to Boccaccio that line of study which governed the entire intellectual life of the author of the "Decameron." With the application of Boccaccio to the translation of Homer into Latin we perceive a singular illustration of the trend of the classic devotion of the time.

Despite the fact that the "Divina Commedia" had magnificently demonstrated the beauty of Italian as a literary medium, fourteenth century scholars regarded the language with contempt.

Pride in their connection with historic Rome, as well as the environment of places associated with his personality, made Virgil their literary deity.

The ancient language of the eternal city and of the "AEneid" was for them the only suitable literary instrument.