This book examines Petrarch's relationship with Francesco il Vecchio d Carrara, lord of Padua, who was the poet's host during his final years (1367-74), and for whom he started to rewrite his great work of Roman history, the "De Viris Illustribus". The exemplary prupose of this text was extended in the form of a major fresco cycle in the Sala Virorum Illustrium of the Carrara palace in Padua, the Reggia.