Description

Marko Marulić (1450–1524) was a Croatian poet, lawyer, judge, and Renaissance humanist, often hailed as the "father of Croatian literature." His epic poem Judita is considered the first long poem in Croatian, earning him a status similar to Dante in Italian literature. Marulić's Latin poetry was so esteemed that he was called "The Christian Virgil." He was deeply influenced by both Christian texts and pre-Christian Greek and Latin classics, composing works of Christian poetry, humanist elegies, and even satirical epigrams.

A key figure of the Croatian Renaissance, Marulić sought a renewal of Christianity, criticizing the corruption within the Roman Catholic Church. Though contemporaries with Martin Luther, there is no evidence they were aware of each other. However, both shared similar theological foundations rooted in scholasticism and Renaissance humanism. Marulić remained loyal to the Roman Catholic Church, unlike Luther, and his works were admired by prominent Catholic saints and Protestant believers alike.

His writings, once widely praised across Europe, faded over time but have recently resurfaced, including previously lost manuscripts such as his epic poem Davidiad. Marulić is credited with being one of the first to use the term "psychology" in a literary work. His influence extended beyond literature, with Pope John Paul II quoting him during a visit to Croatia in 1998.