In the following sentence:
At the University of Florence in 1423, the humanist Filelfo was paid 224 Florentine guilders, ad legendam rhetoricam et poesiam, while his philosophical colleague received only 160 guilders.
what's the meaning of "ad legendam rhetoricam et poesiam"?
thanks!
You can note that the "liberal arts" (poesiae and rhetorics) were less noble, but meant more work than philosophy (it is the quadrivium vs. the trivium) : this explains the difference of money. But the personality of Filelfo may also have played a role.
"... in order to read/to teach rhetorics and poetry"
may also have played a role.