Jovius, Paulus

Paulus Jovius, also called Paolo Giovio, (born April 19, 1483, Como, Milan [Italy]—died Dec. 10, 1552, Florence [Italy]), Italian historian, author of vivid historical works in Latin, and the owner of a famous art collection.

In about 1513 Jovius settled in Rome; he won the favour of Leo X (who compared him to Livy) and of Cardinal Giulio de’ Medici, later Clement VII, whom he helped during the sack of Rome in 1527. In 1528 Jovius became bishop of Nocera. He wrote a Latin history of Florence from 1494 to 1547, Historiarum sui temporis libri XLV (1550–52), and a series of lives of famous men. Though his work lacks depth and political interest, it is sparkling, elegantly written, and full of useful information. After Clement VII’s death (1534), Jovius retired to a villa on Lake Como, where he invested the wealth he had acquired in antiquities, paintings, and curiosities. His collection was one of the first to include pieces from the New World.