Politics and the arts in Lisbon and Rome: The Roman dream of John V of Portugal

John V of Portugal's vision of Rome influenced his political choices and cultural policy during the first half of the eighteenth century, with arts and music playing a special role. This edited collection offers a fresh approach to this classic, but little-known, topic in Portuguese national historiography.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 14 October 2019
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

Dealing with a complex king, this edited collection elucidates a monarch's vision of Rome that deeply affected his political choices and cultural policy during the first half of the eighteenth century. John V of Portugal became king in 1707 in a pivotal moment for the European balance of power. The Kingdom of Portugal was still demanding the same privileges as its powerful neighbors, and the relation with Rome was considered a vehicle to obtain them. Arts and music had a special and unprecedented place in the king's plans, and this book approaches that dynamic from several interdisciplinary perspectives.

The unifying thread across this book's chapters remains the omnipresence of Rome as a paradigm on several levels: political, religious, intellectual, artistic, and musical. Rather than providing an exhaustive analysis of the period as a whole, this study offers a fresh approach for English readers to this classic, but little-known, topic in Portuguese national historiography.

John V of Portugal's reign was marked by a profound fascination with Rome, which influenced his political decisions and cultural policies. The Kingdom of Portugal sought to emulate the achievements of its powerful neighbors, particularly France and Spain, and saw the alliance with Rome as a means to achieve this. The king's plans for the arts and music were particularly ambitious, and this book explores that dynamic from various interdisciplinary perspectives.

The political dimension of Rome's influence on John V's reign is evident in his attempts to assert Portuguese dominance in the Mediterranean region. The king sought to strengthen his country's position by aligning it with the Roman Catholic Church, which was a powerful force in Europe at the time. This alliance was seen as a means to counterbalance the influence of the Protestant countries in the region, particularly England and Holland.

Religious aspects of Rome's influence were also significant. John V was a devout Catholic, and he saw the alliance with Rome as a way to strengthen his religious convictions and promote the spread of Catholicism in Portugal. The king's policies aimed to promote the construction of churches, schools, and hospitals, and to support the clergy and religious orders.

Intellectual influences were also evident in John V's vision of Rome. The king was a patron of the arts and literature, and he sought to promote the study of classical languages and literature in Portugal. He commissioned the translation of several works of Roman literature into Portuguese, and he established a library and a university to support these efforts.

Artistic influences were also significant in John V's reign. The king was a keen admirer of Roman architecture and art, and he commissioned the construction of several buildings and monuments in Portugal that were inspired by Roman designs. He also supported the development of Portuguese artists and craftsmen, who were encouraged to emulate the styles and techniques of Roman artists.

Musical influences were also evident in John V's reign. The king was a lover of music, and he supported the development of the Portuguese musical tradition. He commissioned the composition of several works of music, and he established a music school and a conservatory to promote the study and performance of music.

In conclusion, this edited collection provides a valuable insight into John V of Portugal's vision of Rome and its impact on his political choices and cultural policies. The book explores the various dimensions of Rome's influence on the king's reign, including political, religious, intellectual, artistic, and musical aspects. By examining these influences from multiple interdisciplinary perspectives, the book offers a fresh approach to this classic, but little-known, topic in Portuguese national historiography.

Weight: 234g
Dimension: 157 x 156 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789620122