Antônio Mendonça (latinist)

Antônio da Silveira Mendonça
Born	February 3, 1930 Brazil
Died	November 28, 2023 Brazil
Nationality	Brazilian
Alma mater	University of São Paulo, University of Campinas
Occupation(s)	Latinist, Educator, Translator
Years active	1950s–2020s
Notable work	Bellum Civile* by Julius Caesar, Works by Pliny the Elder, Ovid

Antônio da Silveira Mendonça (February 3,1930– November 28, 2023) was a renowned Brazilian Latinist, educator, and translator. He was particularly known for his contributions to the study of Classical Literature and his long tenure as a professor at prominent Brazilian universities. He became a key figure in the development of Classical Studies in Brazil and left a significant mark on academia.

Early life and education

Mendonça was born in Santa Lúcia, São Paulo, Brazil in 1930. He pursued studies in Classical Languages, eventually becoming a leading figure in the field of Latin and Ancient Greek studies in Brazil. He graduated in Letters and later earned his post-graduate qualifications, which propelled him into academia.

Academic career

Mendonça served as a professor at the University of São Paulo (USP) for over four decades, specializing in Latin and Classical Studies. He was also a key figure in the establishment of the Department of Classical Languages at the University of Campinas (Unicamp) in the late 1980s. At USP, Mendonça not only taught but also supervised graduate students, continuing his work even after his retirement. His pedagogical contributions helped shape generations of students in the fields of Latin and Classical Literature.

Throughout his career, he translated several key works from Latin, including De Pictura by Leon Battista Alberti, Naturalis Historia by Pliny the Elder, and Bellum Catilinae by Sallust .

His work extended beyond translation, influencing generations of students. Mendonça was particularly well-regarded for his tenure as a professor of Portuguese at Colégio Santa Cruz in São Paulo, where he taught from the 1960s to the 1980s. His rigorous approach to teaching was balanced by his genuine care for his students’ academic growth, particularly in the areas of translation and classical studies.

Mendonça almost pursued a religious career. At the age of 12, he was taken in by priests from a church in São Carlos, in the interior of the state of São Paulo, years after the death of his father, who died when Mendonça was still a child. He began his studies, excelled and was even sent to Italy to study theology. However, he gave up and returned to Brazil.

Translation work

Mendonça's translation work was extensive, including important texts from Latin, such as Bellum Civile by Julius Caesar and works by Pliny the Elder. He also translated from Greek and Italian, contributing to the accessibility of classical texts in Portuguese. His translations earned significant recognition for their scholarly accuracy and literary quality, and he became a key figure in making ancient works more accessible to Brazilian readers.

Personal life

Mendonça was known for his warm and engaging personality. He was passionate about fostering strong relationships with his students, often inviting them to his home for gatherings. His love for Brazilian culture was reflected in his enjoyment of samba and MPB (Brazilian popular music), alongside his appreciation for classical music, particularly Gregorian chants and French songs by Édith Piaf. He was also a lifelong fan of football, supporting the Palmeiras club, and enjoyed playing tennis.

Polyglot, Mendonça spoke Portuguese, Spanish, Greek, Italian, French and Latin and could also teach in these languages.

Mendonça's academic legacy continues through the many students he mentored, and his influence on Latin studies in Brazil remains profound. Mendonça passed away on November 28, 2023, at the age of 93 due to a cerebrovascular accident. His legacy as a scholar and educator remains influential in the fields of Latin and classical studies, and his extensive body of translated work continues to shape the understanding of ancient texts in the modern world and is still leaving behind a lasting impact on Brazilian education and classical scholarship.