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Document Details : Title: Leuven Professors and Students Praising their Alma Mater in the Sixteenth Century Author(s): DEMUYNCK, Adriaan Journal: Humanistica Lovaniensia Volume: 74 Date: 2025 Pages: 415-445 DOI: 10.2143/HLO.74.0.3294854 Abstract : This paper studies six poetical city encomia on Leuven dating to the 16th century. After a presentation of the texts and their authors, the paper offers an overview of the frequent themes and topoi present in these laudations. The authors of the encomia were all students or professors at the University of Leuven. The city and university are intertwined in the encomia: the city is praised because of the university, and vice versa. The encomia laud Leuven because of the study programmes and scholars present in the city, sometimes listing names of professors. The laudation of studies happens grosso modo in the same order as in the traditional yearly celebratory oration at the University of Leuven, delivered at the start of the classes: theology, law (canonical and civic), medicine, and arts. Leuven is furthermore praised as a locus amoenus because of its hilly landscape, the river Dyle, and its abundant crops. On the other hand, the poets devote little attention to buildings in the city. One poet even praises Leuven for lacking merchants and craftsmen, who would disturb the quiet. Hence, the poets argue, Leuven is a place fit for the Muses, the goddesses of the sciences, who foster the university. Finally, Leuven is praised for the foreigners it attracts to study there. I argue that the topoi of the locus amoenus and the praise of foreign students are used in support of the core tribute: Leuven as a renowned centre of learning. |
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