Saturday, October 01, 2011
RANDOM ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA
FABRETTI, RAFAEL(1618-1700)- celebrated italian antiquary. destined to pursue law, took degree of dr. at 18. when in rome studying for the bar, he attracted notice of cardinal imperial, who employed him on important + difficult political affairs in spain.. named treasurer + auditor of the papal legation in that country, where he stayed 13 yrs. during all this time, however, his favorite classical + antiquarian studies not neglected;+ returning to rome w/ the legate, bonelli, who had been made cardinal, he was able on the journey to make important observations of the relics + monuments of spain, france, italy, + converse w/ eminant scholars of hose countries who later corresponded w/ him. at rome, appointed judge of appelation of the capital, which he left to be under legate, auditor of legislation. 3 yrs after returned to rome, on invitation of cardinal, vicar of innocent XI, a lover of antiques + learning, + now found that fullness of leisure w/ enabbled him to carry on those studies + produce works w/ made him famous. he examined w/ great care the monuments + inscriptions of the campagnay in his solitary expeditions. he always rode a horse w/ his friend nicknamed marco polo, who said it could sniff out hidden monuments. F was delighted by the name + used it. by innocent XII, F made keeper of the archives of the castle st. angelo, he retained til death. his book cleared up a number of obscurities as to the topography of ancient latium. his collection of inscriptions + monuments bought + placed in the ducal palace at urbino.
