It takes its name from the road that separated
the 5th and 6th maniple of the Roman camp; a road that was destined
for the purpose of combat training. On this road a “palus” (pole)
wass placed, standing six feet high and against which the Legionnaires
trained with swords and javelins, (Vegezio, Epitoma rei militaris,
4th Cent. BC).
The Medieval civilization transformed this training into exercises
of dexterity to be done on horseback, to execute while galloping
with a lance against a palus, initially having a barrel attached
to it, (as is depicted in the fresco of Santa Maria of Mevale,
near Visso, dated 1492), then transformed into the profile of
an enemy holding a shield, initially in a fixed position, then
becoming capable of rotating around the palus (denominated "Saracen" or "Moor",
enemy par excellence of the Faith).
In the Middle Ages the Quintana concluded the patron saint feast
day and was held in piazza Arringo: «Et poi le predicte
cose, quilli che a cavallo ha jocato al hasto overo armigiato,
se vorrà, corra a la quintana, la quale lu dicto camorlingho
la faccia fare como le altre sopradicte cose, la quale se ponga
et ficcase in ne lu dicto arengho», (Statuti, St. Pop.,
Lib. II, Rubr. 6). (A cry to begin the game, ordering the cavalier
and horse to charge against the effigy).
The modern edition began to be held from the year 1955, and
to its rebirth contributed, among others, persons such as the
historians Father Carlo Cardarelli, Carlo Baiocchi, Father Giuseppe
Fabiani, the industrialist Nazzareno Peci and the director Danilo
Ciampini, a professor of artistic education, Alberto Costantini,
the lawyer Giulio Franchi, with the counsel of Lieutenant Colonel
Aldighiero Batini, Ascolan by birth, then Maestro of the Field
of Football in Florentine Historical Costume (cfr. Carlo Paci, “Come
e perché la città si rituffò nel medioevo”,
in Le Donne, i Cavallier, l’Arme, gli Amori, Quad. n.
7 Ente Quintana, 1994). The Quintana, in the various moments
in which it is articulated, succeeds in melding together culture
and spectacle, historical re-evocation and current events, monumental
city and city of men. The very strong sense of continuity and
belonging that are an integral part of it is closely related
to the patron saint Emidio's feast day, central calendarial
event of the life of the town, under a profile that is religious
and civic as well as social-economic and playful. |
