The Arts - Rome - page 702

whose history of the Roman Republic was probably used as a school textbook, cheerfully
mixed myth with fact to produce an entertaining and popular tome. Tacitus, on the other
hand, took a decidedly colder approach. His Annals and Histories, which cover the early
years of the Roman Empire, are cutting and often witty, although imbued with an underly-
ing pessimism.
In 1559 Pope Paul IV published the Index Librorum Prohibitorum (Index of Prohibited Books), a list of books
forbidden by the Catholic Church. Over the next 400 years, it was revised 20 times, the last edition ap-
pearing in 1948. It was officially abolished in 1966.
Street Writing & Popular Poetry
Rome's tradition of street writing, which today survives in the form of colourful graffiti
art, goes back to the dark days of the 17th century. With the Church systematically sup-
pressing every whiff of criticism, Counter-Reformation Rome was not a great place for
budding authors. As a way round censorship, disgruntled Romans began posting pasquin-
ades (anonymous messages; named after the first person who wrote one) on the city's so-
called speaking statues. These messages, often archly critical of the authorities, were sens-
ibly posted in the dead of night and then gleefully circulated around town the following
day. The most famous speaking statue stands in Piazza Pasquino near Piazza Navona.
Dialect Verse
Poking savage fun at the rich and powerful was one of the favourite themes of Gioacchino
Belli (1791−1863), one of a trio of poets who made their names writing poetry in Roman
dialect. Born poor, Belli started his career with conventional and undistinguished verse,
but found the crude and colourful dialect of the Roman streets better suited to his out-
spoken attacks on the chattering classes.
Carlo Alberto Salustri (1871−1950), aka Trilussa, is the best known of the trio. He, too,
wrote social and political satire, although not exclusively so, and many of his poems are
melancholy reflections on life, love and solitude. One of his most famous works, the anti-
fascist poem All'Ombra (In the Shadow), is etched onto a plaque in Piazza Trilussa, the
Trastevere square named in his honour.
The poems of Cesare Pescarella (1858−1940) present a vivid portrait of turn-of-the-
century Rome. Gritty and realistic, they pull no punches in describing everyday life as
lived by Rome's forgotten poor.