Papers by Davor Antonucci
OrizzonteCina, 2022
Today, the People’s Republic of China is the main trading partner for Mongolia. Despite good prog... more Today, the People’s Republic of China is the main trading partner for Mongolia. Despite good progress in the economic field, the two societies have different views of each other. How have China and Mongolia built
their relationship in modern times? The historical reconstruction of relations between China and Mongolia cannot ignore – at least starting in the 20th century – the relations between Mongolia and Russia, and between
Russia and China. After the end of the Cold War and the fall of communism, Mongolia had to reshape its
foreign policy, and identity, and redefine its relations with its two giant neighbors, while at the same time
trying to build its relations in the new international context. The emergence of China as a new global power
has confronted the Mongolians with important choices for their future. Starting from the analysis of the
socialist period, the paper aims to reconstruct the Mongolian point of view in the dimension of the historical
development of relations between the two countries in the context of changed international conditions.
Gun G. Ayurzana, La leggenda dello sciamano, 2020
L'IDOMENEO, 30 , pp. 11-40. Open access , 2020
In the biography of the Salentine Jesuit Sabatino de Ursis (1575-1620), missionary in China at th... more In the biography of the Salentine Jesuit Sabatino de Ursis (1575-1620), missionary in China at the beginning of the XVII century, some events related to his life before his departure for the East are still unknown or shrouded in uncertainty. This contribution intends to shed new light on some important questions: When and where did de Ursis enter the Society of Jesus? What are his vicissitudes before his departure, and what is the
historical context of the General's call? Finally, it will be investigated the possible correlation between the de Ursis' vocation and the missionary Michele Ruggieri.
Nella biografia del gesuita salentino Sabatino de Ursis (1575-1620), missionario in Cina al principio del XVII secolo, alcune vicende legate alla sua vita prima della partenza per l’Oriente sono a tutt’oggi sconosciute o avvolte nell’incertezza. Questo contributo intende gettare nuova luce su alcuni importanti quesiti: quando e dove de Ursis fa il suo ingresso nella Compagnia di Gesù? Quali sono le sue vicissitudini prima della
partenza, e che contesto storico avviene la chiamata dal generale? Infine si indagherà la possibile correlazione tra la vocazione di de Ursis e il missionario Michele Ruggieri.
ORIENTIS AURA MACAU PERSPECTIVES IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES, 2018
In the mid-late 18th century the Qianlong emperor (1711-1799)
launched a number of great military... more In the mid-late 18th century the Qianlong emperor (1711-1799)
launched a number of great military campaigns in order to expand the Qing control over new territories on the north and south western part of his empire, as well as over the Tibeto-Himalayan region: they have been recorded as the “Ten Great Campaigns” (Shi quan wugong 十全武功). The results of these winning campaigns were the acquisition of new territories and the submission of people, primarily the Zunghar tribes and the Khambas of Sichuan, to the Qing empire. Such an endeavor had its cost in number of lives and military expenditure. During this time some Jesuit missionaries living at court in Peking were involved on a few occasions in the emperor’s agenda. In particular, the Portuguese fathers Felix da Rocha and José de Espinha, following in the footsteps of their fellow brethren almost a century earlier, at the request of the emperor not only drew maps of his new domains, but also cast cannons for one of his campaigns. In doing so, Qianlong followed the example of his predecessor Kangxi in using the scientific and technical skills of the court Jesuits in order to secure his victory and control over new conquered territories. This paper focuses mainly on Felix da Rocha’s undertakings in the service of Qianlong, both as a mapmaker and as an expert in ballistics and cannon casting. At the same time, it aims to show how in the 18th century the Qianlong emperor followed the example of his grandfather in his relationship with the Jesuit missionaries at court and their scientific knowledge.
in G. Orofino (ed.), Wind Horses. Tibetan, Himalayan and Mongolian Studies, Napoli: Università degli Studi di Napoli “L’Orientale”,ISBN 978-88-6719-175-8 , 2019
This paper aims to shed light on the Mongolian studies in Italy
from 1861 to the present day. It... more This paper aims to shed light on the Mongolian studies in Italy
from 1861 to the present day. It is mainly focused on the ninete-
enth century and it analyses the two most important Italian insti-
tutions of time for the Oriental Studies, that is the “Regio Istituto
di Studi Superiori Pratici e di Perfezionamento” of Florence and
the the “Real Collegio Asiatico” of Naples. In these academic insti-
tutions there were a number of outstanding scholars interested in
Mongolian language such as Carlo Puini, Emilio Teza and Guido
Amedeo Vitale. It also provides a preliminary bibliography on
Mongolian studies in Italy till 1945. This paper is intended to be a
preliminary work for a more extensive bio-bibliography on
Mongolian studies in Italy to be published in the future.
Alexandre Chen Tsung-ming (陳聰銘), ed., Catholicism’s encounters with China: 17th to 20th century, Leuven: Ferdinand Verbiest Institute, (Leuven Chinese Studies vol. XXXIX), pp. 77-104, 2018
r Mongolia and the West. The Mongols of
Inner Mongolia are one of the 56 minorities of
China, and... more r Mongolia and the West. The Mongols of
Inner Mongolia are one of the 56 minorities of
China, and their number paradoxically is larger
than those of Outer Mongolia. Through the ages,
Mongolia was visited by several missionaries such as
Giovanni da Montecorvino and Odorico da Porde-
none, and in the following centuries by the jesuits A.
Thomas, J. F. Gerbillon and others. At the begin-
ning of the 20th century it was crossed by the Italian
journalists Barzini, father and son, who described it
in their reports.
"Between myth and reality: Tartary in XVII-XVIII writings"
After the fall of the Mongolian Empire... more "Between myth and reality: Tartary in XVII-XVIII writings"
After the fall of the Mongolian Empire and the end of the so-called “Pax mongolica” Tartary and the Tartars fell in Europe into complete oblivion for almost three centuries. The “rediscovery” of Tartary during the XVII and the XVIII centuries is due to the Jesuit missionaries in China who were able to reach the lands beyond the Great Wall and make detailed scientific observations. During this time the Jesuit sent to Europe a great deal of mèmoires, letters and accounts concerning the geography, history, culture etc. of Tartary.
Are there still unknown works by Martino Martini? Although the Jesuit spent a very short period a... more Are there still unknown works by Martino Martini? Although the Jesuit spent a very short period as a missionary in China, compared to some of his well-known confreres, he was able to publish instrumental works on China for the European readers of the time. Upon reading Martini's works and letters it is clear that he left many clues about his intention to have more books, in Latin as well as in Chinese, published. Did he eventually succeed in doing so? Archival research could unveil unexpected treasures, such as preliminary drafts or direct evidence of his working progress. The aim of this paper is to investigate such a possibility according to some working hypotheses and new discoveries. Some of these “unwritten” works are already well known, in other cases, according to my opinion, further research still needs to be done in order to verify the consistency of Martini's own statements. In order to better analyse Martini's works, and propose some working hypotheses, I have divided this paper in two parts: the first is related to his Chinese writings, the second to his Latin works.
This article makes use of a report written by the senior Jesuit visitor Manuel de Azevedo to his ... more This article makes use of a report written by the senior Jesuit visitor Manuel de Azevedo to his superiors during the 1640s. The text is of great interest, since it reveals the kind of Manchu-related information which the missionary considered worth being collected, both in order to inform the Superior, and to establish a benchmark of knowledge on the contemporary Eastern Tartars. The chief purpose of the text must have been to present to his superiors a diversity of aspects concerning the new rulers of China.
Acta Pekinensia: Western Historical Sources for the Kangxi Reign, The Macau Ricci Institute, Macau. (ISBN 978-99937-947-6-9), 2013
L. Saraiva (ed.), Europe and China: Science and the Arts in the 17th and 18th Centuries, World Scientific Publishing, Singapore(ISBN 978-981-4390-43-9), 2012
F. Congiu, B. Onnis, C. Pinna (a cura di), Cina. La centralità ritrovata, Atti del XII Convegno dell’Associazione Italiana di Studi Cinesi (AISC), Cagliari 17-19 settembre 2009, Apisa Edizioni, Cagliari. (ISBN 978-88-95692-59-3) , 2012
Luisa M. Paternicò (ed.), The Generation of Giants, Jesuit missionaries and scientists in China on the footsteps of Matteo Ricci, Centro Studi Martino Martini, Trento. (ISBN 978-88-8443-391-6), 2011
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Papers by Davor Antonucci
their relationship in modern times? The historical reconstruction of relations between China and Mongolia cannot ignore – at least starting in the 20th century – the relations between Mongolia and Russia, and between
Russia and China. After the end of the Cold War and the fall of communism, Mongolia had to reshape its
foreign policy, and identity, and redefine its relations with its two giant neighbors, while at the same time
trying to build its relations in the new international context. The emergence of China as a new global power
has confronted the Mongolians with important choices for their future. Starting from the analysis of the
socialist period, the paper aims to reconstruct the Mongolian point of view in the dimension of the historical
development of relations between the two countries in the context of changed international conditions.
historical context of the General's call? Finally, it will be investigated the possible correlation between the de Ursis' vocation and the missionary Michele Ruggieri.
Nella biografia del gesuita salentino Sabatino de Ursis (1575-1620), missionario in Cina al principio del XVII secolo, alcune vicende legate alla sua vita prima della partenza per l’Oriente sono a tutt’oggi sconosciute o avvolte nell’incertezza. Questo contributo intende gettare nuova luce su alcuni importanti quesiti: quando e dove de Ursis fa il suo ingresso nella Compagnia di Gesù? Quali sono le sue vicissitudini prima della
partenza, e che contesto storico avviene la chiamata dal generale? Infine si indagherà la possibile correlazione tra la vocazione di de Ursis e il missionario Michele Ruggieri.
launched a number of great military campaigns in order to expand the Qing control over new territories on the north and south western part of his empire, as well as over the Tibeto-Himalayan region: they have been recorded as the “Ten Great Campaigns” (Shi quan wugong 十全武功). The results of these winning campaigns were the acquisition of new territories and the submission of people, primarily the Zunghar tribes and the Khambas of Sichuan, to the Qing empire. Such an endeavor had its cost in number of lives and military expenditure. During this time some Jesuit missionaries living at court in Peking were involved on a few occasions in the emperor’s agenda. In particular, the Portuguese fathers Felix da Rocha and José de Espinha, following in the footsteps of their fellow brethren almost a century earlier, at the request of the emperor not only drew maps of his new domains, but also cast cannons for one of his campaigns. In doing so, Qianlong followed the example of his predecessor Kangxi in using the scientific and technical skills of the court Jesuits in order to secure his victory and control over new conquered territories. This paper focuses mainly on Felix da Rocha’s undertakings in the service of Qianlong, both as a mapmaker and as an expert in ballistics and cannon casting. At the same time, it aims to show how in the 18th century the Qianlong emperor followed the example of his grandfather in his relationship with the Jesuit missionaries at court and their scientific knowledge.
from 1861 to the present day. It is mainly focused on the ninete-
enth century and it analyses the two most important Italian insti-
tutions of time for the Oriental Studies, that is the “Regio Istituto
di Studi Superiori Pratici e di Perfezionamento” of Florence and
the the “Real Collegio Asiatico” of Naples. In these academic insti-
tutions there were a number of outstanding scholars interested in
Mongolian language such as Carlo Puini, Emilio Teza and Guido
Amedeo Vitale. It also provides a preliminary bibliography on
Mongolian studies in Italy till 1945. This paper is intended to be a
preliminary work for a more extensive bio-bibliography on
Mongolian studies in Italy to be published in the future.
Inner Mongolia are one of the 56 minorities of
China, and their number paradoxically is larger
than those of Outer Mongolia. Through the ages,
Mongolia was visited by several missionaries such as
Giovanni da Montecorvino and Odorico da Porde-
none, and in the following centuries by the jesuits A.
Thomas, J. F. Gerbillon and others. At the begin-
ning of the 20th century it was crossed by the Italian
journalists Barzini, father and son, who described it
in their reports.
After the fall of the Mongolian Empire and the end of the so-called “Pax mongolica” Tartary and the Tartars fell in Europe into complete oblivion for almost three centuries. The “rediscovery” of Tartary during the XVII and the XVIII centuries is due to the Jesuit missionaries in China who were able to reach the lands beyond the Great Wall and make detailed scientific observations. During this time the Jesuit sent to Europe a great deal of mèmoires, letters and accounts concerning the geography, history, culture etc. of Tartary.
their relationship in modern times? The historical reconstruction of relations between China and Mongolia cannot ignore – at least starting in the 20th century – the relations between Mongolia and Russia, and between
Russia and China. After the end of the Cold War and the fall of communism, Mongolia had to reshape its
foreign policy, and identity, and redefine its relations with its two giant neighbors, while at the same time
trying to build its relations in the new international context. The emergence of China as a new global power
has confronted the Mongolians with important choices for their future. Starting from the analysis of the
socialist period, the paper aims to reconstruct the Mongolian point of view in the dimension of the historical
development of relations between the two countries in the context of changed international conditions.
historical context of the General's call? Finally, it will be investigated the possible correlation between the de Ursis' vocation and the missionary Michele Ruggieri.
Nella biografia del gesuita salentino Sabatino de Ursis (1575-1620), missionario in Cina al principio del XVII secolo, alcune vicende legate alla sua vita prima della partenza per l’Oriente sono a tutt’oggi sconosciute o avvolte nell’incertezza. Questo contributo intende gettare nuova luce su alcuni importanti quesiti: quando e dove de Ursis fa il suo ingresso nella Compagnia di Gesù? Quali sono le sue vicissitudini prima della
partenza, e che contesto storico avviene la chiamata dal generale? Infine si indagherà la possibile correlazione tra la vocazione di de Ursis e il missionario Michele Ruggieri.
launched a number of great military campaigns in order to expand the Qing control over new territories on the north and south western part of his empire, as well as over the Tibeto-Himalayan region: they have been recorded as the “Ten Great Campaigns” (Shi quan wugong 十全武功). The results of these winning campaigns were the acquisition of new territories and the submission of people, primarily the Zunghar tribes and the Khambas of Sichuan, to the Qing empire. Such an endeavor had its cost in number of lives and military expenditure. During this time some Jesuit missionaries living at court in Peking were involved on a few occasions in the emperor’s agenda. In particular, the Portuguese fathers Felix da Rocha and José de Espinha, following in the footsteps of their fellow brethren almost a century earlier, at the request of the emperor not only drew maps of his new domains, but also cast cannons for one of his campaigns. In doing so, Qianlong followed the example of his predecessor Kangxi in using the scientific and technical skills of the court Jesuits in order to secure his victory and control over new conquered territories. This paper focuses mainly on Felix da Rocha’s undertakings in the service of Qianlong, both as a mapmaker and as an expert in ballistics and cannon casting. At the same time, it aims to show how in the 18th century the Qianlong emperor followed the example of his grandfather in his relationship with the Jesuit missionaries at court and their scientific knowledge.
from 1861 to the present day. It is mainly focused on the ninete-
enth century and it analyses the two most important Italian insti-
tutions of time for the Oriental Studies, that is the “Regio Istituto
di Studi Superiori Pratici e di Perfezionamento” of Florence and
the the “Real Collegio Asiatico” of Naples. In these academic insti-
tutions there were a number of outstanding scholars interested in
Mongolian language such as Carlo Puini, Emilio Teza and Guido
Amedeo Vitale. It also provides a preliminary bibliography on
Mongolian studies in Italy till 1945. This paper is intended to be a
preliminary work for a more extensive bio-bibliography on
Mongolian studies in Italy to be published in the future.
Inner Mongolia are one of the 56 minorities of
China, and their number paradoxically is larger
than those of Outer Mongolia. Through the ages,
Mongolia was visited by several missionaries such as
Giovanni da Montecorvino and Odorico da Porde-
none, and in the following centuries by the jesuits A.
Thomas, J. F. Gerbillon and others. At the begin-
ning of the 20th century it was crossed by the Italian
journalists Barzini, father and son, who described it
in their reports.
After the fall of the Mongolian Empire and the end of the so-called “Pax mongolica” Tartary and the Tartars fell in Europe into complete oblivion for almost three centuries. The “rediscovery” of Tartary during the XVII and the XVIII centuries is due to the Jesuit missionaries in China who were able to reach the lands beyond the Great Wall and make detailed scientific observations. During this time the Jesuit sent to Europe a great deal of mèmoires, letters and accounts concerning the geography, history, culture etc. of Tartary.
Through the interventions of linguists, jurists, historians and political scientists, the event aims to analyze the impact and consequences that the dissolution of the USSR and the end of the Warsaw Pact had on the identity, rights and protection of ethnic minorities within the nation states resulting from the disintegration of the Soviet bloc. Central to the Conference are its emphasis on presenting the commitment of minority communities to promote and maintain their languages and cultures in the post-Soviet geopolitical region, and the simultaneous, comparative and interdisciplinary approach to minorities.
The conference will take place live (in the Como branch of the University of Insubria) and online on December 1-3, 2021 and will see the participation of scholars affiliated to the University of Insubria and other Italian and foreign universities (Russian Academy of Sciences, Czech Academy of Sciences, Belorusian State University, Akaki Tsereteli State University, Sapienza Università di Roma, Università degli Studi di Napoli L'Orientale, Università di Cagliari, Università di Udine, Università Ca' Grande di Venezia, Università di Palermo, Università di Verona, Università di Milano).