Forward by Giovanni Alto of Switzerland 1641

Curator: This is a fascinating title page, isn't it? It clearly wants to impress upon the reader the wonders of Rome. Editor: Yes, "Forward by Giovanni Alto of Switzerland" by Giacomo Lauro. It's essentially a page of dense Italian text. It feels very academic and serious. What strikes you about it? Curator: I see a deliberate attempt to connect with a specific, educated audience. The long lists of historical figures and authors aren't just about showing off knowledge. They're about creating a lineage, a sense of intellectual authority. How does that make you feel? Editor: It feels a bit exclusionary, almost like a gatekeeping of knowledge. Were these kinds of texts common at the time? Curator: Absolutely. This was an era where knowledge was power, and displaying that knowledge was a way of solidifying social and intellectual hierarchies. It’s a fascinating window into the power dynamics of the time, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: I see what you mean. The density of the text and the emphasis on classical knowledge were ways to establish authority and control access to information. I'll definitely think about this piece differently now.