Cecco d'Ascoli

The lunar crater Cichus is named after him.

Dante Alighieri is recorded as having studied under Cecco d'Ascoli. The recorded working language is medieval Italian and medieval Latin. The field of work recorded is astronomy, astrology and philosophy. Employment is recorded with University of Bologna. Works named in the authority record are Acerba, De eccentricis et epicyclis and Letters.

• Born — 1257 • Birthplace — Folignano • Died — 26 September 1327 • Place of death — Florence • Notable Works — Acerba • Discipline — astrology • Work Institutions — University of Bologna

Born in Folignano, near Fonte a cagnà in Case di Coccia, he devoted himself to the study of mathematics and astrology. In 1322, he was made professor of astrology at the University of Bologna. It is alleged that he entered the service of Pope John XXII at Avignon, and that he cultivated the acquaintance of Dante only to quarrel with the great poet afterwards; but of this there is no evidence. Having published a commentary on the Sphere of John de Sacrobosco, in which he propounded audacious theories concerning the employment and agency of demons, he got into difficulties with the clerical party, and was condemned in 1324 to certain fasts and prayers, and to the payment of a fine of seventy crowns. To elude this sentence, he went to Florence, where he was attached to the household of Carlo di Calabria. His pseudo-science and plain speaking had made him many enemies; he had attacked the Commedia of Dante, and the Canzone d'amore of Guido Cavalcanti. The physician Dino del Garbo was indefatigable in pursuit of him; and the old accusation of impiety being renewed, Cecco was again tried and sentenced for relapse into heresy. He was burned at Florence the day after the sentence, in his seventieth year.

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Cecco d'Ascoli was recorded at birth as Francesco Stabili di Simeone. His recorded languages were medieval Italian and medieval Latin.