Justus Lipsius’s Posthumous Fame and Denigration

Abstract

The Flemish Justus Lipsius was the most relevant European humanist around 1600. At the same time, his continuous religious and political changes provoked critics on him. His death in 1606, being catholic and serving the Habsbourgs, exacerbate the debate on his works and his behaviour, in the context of the cultural war between catholics and protestants. From the very momento he died the conflict on his remembrance opened, opposing those dedicated to construct his phostumous fame and those devoted to denigrate his life and works.