Born in
Civitanova Marche, then in the
March of Ancona, Caro became tutor to the wealthy family of
Lodovico Gaddi in
Florence, and then secretary to Lodovico's brother
Giovanni. At Gaddi's death, he entered the service of the
Farnese family, and became confidential secretary to
Pier Luigi Farnese, Duke of Parma, and to his sons, Duke
Ottavio and
Cardinals Ranuccio and
Alexander. Caro's most important work were his translations (see below). He is also the author of poems,
sonnets, and a
comedy called
Gli Straccioni. His work additionally includes two clever ''jeux d'esprit
: La Ficheide
, in praise of figs, and a eulogy of the big nose of Leoni Ancona, a local figure. His poetry is noted for the freedom and grace of its versification, so that many claim that he brought verso sciolto'' to its highest form in
Italy. Letters he wrote, both in his own name and on behalf of the Cardinals Farnese, are considered remarkable for both the baseness they display and for their
euphemistic polish and elegance. Caro's fame was diminished because of the virulence with which he attacked
Lodovico Castelvetro in one of his
canzoni, and by his meanness for denouncing him to the Church for translating some of the writings of
Philipp Melanchthon, an associate of
Martin Luther. In 1555 Caro was installed as a "knight of grace" (a member not taking
religious vows) of the
Order of Malta by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese. Caro died in
Frascati in 1566 and was buried in the Church of
San Lorenzo in Damaso in Rome. His prose includes translations of
Aristotle,
Cyprian, and
Gregory Nazianzen. == The translations ==