Chronicon Altinate
The Chronicon Altinate, Altino Chronicle or Origo civitatum Italie seu Venetiarum is one of the oldest sources for the history of Venice. The oldest known manuscripts date to the 13th century, though its components are older. It has considerable overlap with the Chronicon Gradense, which may be one of its sources.[1] It is sometimes called the Chronicon Venetum, but that title is also used for the Chronicon Venetum et Gradense of John the Deacon (ca. 1008).
It is not a true chronicle, but rather a compilation of documents and legends about the emergence of Venice and the origin of the Venetians. There are also lists of bishops, popes, doges and emperors, as well as church registers and chronicle entries. The most important manuscripts are in the Vatican, Venice and Dresden, but their relationships, and those of other manuscripts, is unclear.
Compared to the earlier Chronicon Venetum et Gradense, it is "a more richly articulated and satisfyingly detailed account of a primitive foundation of the city", taking its origins back to
It continues by recounting the story of the citizens of Altinum (modern Quarto d'Altino) taking refuge in Torcello, to which they transferred their church with the relics of Saint Heliodorus, their founding bishop.[4]
Notes
- ISBN 0192562460, s.v., p. 339
- ISBN 0300067003, extract
- New York Times, April 20, 1997
- ISBN 1101601132, p. 29