BENIVIENI, DOMENICO

BENIVIENI, DOMENICO. — Philosopher and theologian, born in Florence in 1460, died there on 3 December 1507. Due to his philosophical leanings, Ficino called him his "complantico," and for his subtlety in theological controversies, he earned the title "Sotino." From 1491 onward, he was a canon of San Lorenzo in Florence, where he is buried. Together with his two older brothers, Antonio and Girolamo, he was a staunch supporter of Savonarola, whom he defended in three writings. Notable among these are: *Trattato in defensione et probatione della dottrina predicata da Frate Jero­nimo* [Savonarola] (Florence 1496); *Epistola responsiva alle calunnie contro Savonarola* (ibid. 1497). Of a spiritual character is: *La scala della vita spirituale sopra il nome di Maria* (ibid. 1495).