The discovery of the poem Il-Kantilena in 1966 established Pietru Caxaro as the earliest known author in the Maltese language, pushing the origins of written Maltese back by two centuries. An orator and jurist based in Mdina, Caxaro navigated the complex legal and political environment of fifteenth-century Malta while maintaining ties to the intellectual currents of Renaissance Sicily.
Legal Career and Public Office
Caxaro attained his qualification as a notary in 1438 following examinations held in Palermo, where he became acquainted with humanistic thought. His career was primarily defined by judicial and administrative service. Between 1438 and 1481, he served periodically as a judge in both civil and ecclesiastical courts. Furthermore, he was an active member of the Mdina town council, appearing in approximately 267 council sittings between 1447 and 1485. During the 1480s, his vocal opposition to the bishop of Malta over allegations of corruption led to a temporary excommunication.
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The discovery of Il-Kantilena by Mikiel Fsadni and Godfrey Wettinger revealed a work that synthesizes Arabic and Sicilian influences with humanistic philosophy. While Caxaro’s primary surviving records consist of municipal acts and judicial sentences, his designation as a philosopher stems from the technical composition of his poetry and his contemporary reputation as an orator. In 2025, UNESCO formally recognized the significance of this text by adding it to the Memory of the World Register.
Estates and Final Years
Caxaro, who never married despite a documented attempt to wed Franca de Biglera in the 1460s or 1470s, amassed significant property including a vineyard and several houses in Mdina. His professional life involved close cooperation with the Dominican friars, whom he supported during their establishment in Malta. Shortly before his death in August 1485, he funded the construction of a Dominican chapel at Rabat dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Help, where he requested burial.
Fast facts
- Born: 1400, Mdina, Malta
- Died: 1485, Mdina, Malta
- Nationality: Maltese
- Profession: Philosopher, poet, notary, and judge
- Notable work: Il-Kantilena
- Rediscovery date: September 22, 1966
- UNESCO recognition: 2025
Questions readers ask
What is the importance of the Cantilena?
It is the earliest known complete text written in the Maltese language, providing evidence of linguistic development during the medieval period.
How was Pietru Caxaro rediscovered?
Historian Mikiel Fsadni found a transcription of the poem within the deeds of notary Brandan Caxaro at the Notarial Archives in 1966.
Achievements
- Notable work: Il-Kantilena
