Our destination-not reached |
The ride was breathtaking-small neighborhoods gave way to freshly hayed fields and thick sunflower crops. Soon we were amidst steep hills and deep-cut valleys and I found myself imagining the hardships of fighting and holding positions in such a place.
Two years of political maneuvering brought Guelf-controlled Florence to this site on the morning of September 4, 1260. They were an army of 30,000 including men from the towns of San Gimignano and Orvieto. Ghibbeline Siena, though strengthened by King Manfred of Sicily and his German mercenaries, had only 20,000 troops. But Siena managed to hold the field with superior strategy. Here is wikipedia's take for all you battle geeks out there: Battle of Montaperti
In one of his most memorable mentions of Montaperti, Dante writes traitor Bocca degli Abati into the 9th Circle of Hell for his treacherous betrayal at this battle. Bocca, a Florentine with Ghibbeline sympathies, crosses his own comrades by hacking off the arm of their Standard bearer. Without a flag, the Florentine troops effectively lost sight of their battle leader and were thrown into confusion.
Storm clouds-Montaperti is 2.1 Km walk from this stop |
We were fortified by Vernaccia, Chianti, Sangiovese and Vino Nobile wines. Grana (a less elegant cousin to Parmesan that I prefer in the same way that I prefer Grade B maple syrup to Fancy) and asiago cheeses, along with sweet cherry tomatoes and rich breads fed us. The culmination of the afternoon was a show of Italian standards to rival any flown in battle-these in the from of Ron's Marinella ties. To paraphrase the great tie-maker himself (Eugenio Marinella): It is the total of the particulars that win the day.
The Standards |
What a gorgeous way to spend the day! When do you return home? Likewise,can't wait to see you and hear more. Do we need to start a Dante book club? Carolyn Shade and I were talking about your blog yesterday, and that possibility arose in our conversation.
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