Le parole del Condottiero

The chapter focuses on the military speeches that enrich the narration of Pontano’s De bello Neapolitano, which narrates the long conflict between Ferrante of Aragon and John of Anjou for the throne of Naples (1459–1465). The adlocutiones militares pronounced by Ferrante (on the occasion of the battle of Sarno and the Battle of Troia in Puglia, respectively) are analysed. The speeches are analysed in the light of the process of ideological manipulation of events in comparison with classical models and documentary sources, bringing out the process of transfiguration to which the figure of Ferrante is subject.