Ludovico Ariosto (September 8, 1474 –July 6, 1533) is an Italian poet.

He is best known as the author of the romance epic Orlando Furioso (1516).

The poem, a continuation of Matteo Maria Boiardo's Orlando Innamorato, describes the adventures of Charlemagne, Orlando, and the Franks as they battle against the Saracens with diversions into many sideplots.

Ariosto composes the poem in the ottava rima rhyme scheme and introduces narrative commentary throughout the work.

Ariosto also coins the term "humanism" (in Italian, umanesimo) for choosing to focus upon the strengths and potential of humanity, rather than only upon its role as subordinate to God.

This leads to Renaissance humanism.