Giovanni Della Casa

A Renaissance Courtesy-book: Galateo of Manners & Behaviours

"A Renaissance Courtesy-book: Galateo of Manners & Behaviours" by Giovanni della Casa is a courtesy book published in 1558. This influential Renaissance guide teaches readers how to navigate everyday social situations with grace and charm. From table manners to conversation etiquette, della Casa offers practical advice on avoiding common social mistakes while maintaining attractive conduct. Written with dry humor and keen observation, the work became so popular that its title entered the Italian language as a term for etiquette itself, influencing centuries of manners guides across Europe.