In the tradition of classical Italian poetry, Rodomonte was a boastful king in the late-15th-century epic “Orlando Innamorato.” The character also made a reappearance in the 1516 sequel “Orlando Furioso.” While written by different poets, both versions of the character carried traits of bombastic fierceness and tended to go on blustering rants. Rodomonte made enough of an impression that by the late 16th century, “rodomont” was used in English as a synonym for “braggart.” While rare today, the word “rodomontade” has modern application as both a noun for boastful talk and a verb for engaging in such activity.