Adventurers, poets, reformers: the myth of Catherine II in the mirror of the Italian literary imagination of the 18th century

Abstract

Italy of the second half of the 18th century represented a peculiar archipelago of political, social and linguistic differences. The article explores the remarkable phenomenon of the time when this archipelago united in a choral movement to compose odes and epistles addressed to the figure of Empress Catherine the Great of the North. At the same time, a whole swarm of odes and poems dedicated to her were addressed not so much to the real ruler as to her mythical character. In addition are analyzed the correspondence and relations with Catherine II of two of the most brilliant and legendary Italian adventurers — Stefan Zanovich and Giacomo Casanova.