MORICCA, UMBERTO. - Professor of Latin language and literature; descended from a noble family of Tropea, born at Filandari (Catanzaro) on 28 March 1888, died at Nettuno on 24 July 1948.
After teaching in the Roman lyceums and obtaining the libera docenza at the University of Rome (1920), in 1931 he received the appointment of his discipline at the University of Cagliari. He won the competition announced in 1932 by the University of Malta (Valletta), but after only three years, owing to political circumstances, he had to resign. Having returned to his homeland, he was appointed Provveditore agli Studi and Inspector General.
Works. His very copious output includes, besides school commentaries and contributions to various periodicals, translations and original works. Translations: from the Greek: The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, the Letters of St. Ignatius and St. Polycarp; from the Latin: Cicero, the Republic and the Laws; Minucius Felix, the Octavius; Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy; Lactantius, The Deaths of the Persecutors; all of Horace in verse; the Aeneid of Virgil, likewise in verse; the critical edition of the Tragedies of Seneca, 3 vols., Turin 1947, and of the Dialogues of St. Gregory (Fonti per la Storia d'Italia, 57, Rome 1924). Original works: St. Jerome, 2 vols., Milan 1922; St. Augustine, Turin 1930; History of Latin Literature, 3 vols., Turin 1934, rich in well-sifted information. His output is marked by a profoundly Christian spirit, without ostentation, but without reticence.
Bibliography
Nicola Turchi