Dino Compagni (c. 1255 – 26 February 1324) was an Italian historical writer and political figure.
Dino is an abridgement of Aldobrandino or Ildebrandino. He was born into apopolano or prosperous family ofFlorence, supporters of the White party of theGuelphs. Dino was active in Florentine politics serving as consul for the guild of traders, and later as member of the Signory twice, Prior, and Gonfalonier of Justice. He was democratic in feeling, and was a supporter of the newOrdinances of Justice ofGiano della Bella.[1]
After November 1301, when the White faction lost the power of the Signory to the Black (Ghibelline) party, Dino never again served in a Government council. Because he had been a prior, his property was not forfeit; he was not sent into exile, as other members of the White faction were. WhenCharles of Valois, the nominee ofBoniface VIII, was expected in Florence, Compagni, foreseeing the evils of civil discord, assembled a number of citizens in the church of San Giovanni, and tried to quiet their excited spirits.[1]
HisCronica[2] relates the events that came under his own notice from 1280 to 1312. It bears the stamp of a strong subjectivity. The narrative is constantly personal. Compagni is more of a historian than a chronicler, because he looks for the reasons of events, and makes profound reflections on them. He is one of the important authorities for that period of Florentine history, notwithstanding the mistakes of fact which are to be found in his writings.[1]
During the 1870s,Karl von Hegel andPaul Scheffer-Boichorst participated in a debate about the authenticity of his chronicle, publishing several papers with their arguments. Hegel argued for the authenticity of Compagni's chronicle, and was right.[3]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Oelsner, Hermann (1911). "Italian Literature". InChisholm, Hugh (ed.).Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 14 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 897–912.