"This study examines the impact of Rome and its vibrant culture upon Milton in the course of two two-monthly sojourns in the city in 1638-1639. Focusing on his neo-Latin writings pertaining to that period ("Ad Salsillum," the three Latin epigrams in praise of the soprano Leonora Baroni, and Epistola Familiaris 9, addressed to Lucas Holstenius), it presents new evidence of the academic, literary, and musical contexts surrounding Milton's pro-active integration into seicento Rome. Highlighting Milton's self-fashioning as one who was hospitably embraced by Catholic Rome, it traces his networking with distinguished Italian humanists (upon whom he left no slight an impression)"--.