Función de los exempla en Valério Máximo y su pervivencia en la Edad Media y Renacimiento

Abstract

The literature dealing with old sayings, especially that resorting to exempü, founel a plentiful source for the teaching 01' moral virllles in the deeds anel memorable qllotations 01' Valerills Maximlls. During the Midelle Ages anel the Renaissance lhe figure of lJle ROlllan rhetor-historian playeel a pivotal role within lhe field of b.vourite authors. However, as time went by, it was graelually replaced by Chriastian anel nationalmodels, anel the exemplum, owing to its own success, callght on so lllllCh so that its inelepenelent use was a source of delight anel, consequentJy, it was censoreel by Eraslllus and abolished by successive COlll1Cils.