Renaissance Popes Renaissance Popes

Medicis, Borgias and othersMedicis, Borgias and others

Sixtus IVSixtus IV(Pope: 1471-84)(Pope: 1471-84)

Who you need Who you need to know to know because the because the Sistine Chapel is Sistine Chapel is named for himnamed for him

Della Rovere Della Rovere family (poor family (poor family from family from Savona)Savona)

Restoring Rome Restoring Rome When he took over, the papacy had little When he took over, the papacy had little

prestige and Rome was a shambles because prestige and Rome was a shambles because of the Avignon Captivityof the Avignon Captivity

He rebuilt many of the dilapidated churches He rebuilt many of the dilapidated churches and buildings, improved the streets and built and buildings, improved the streets and built bridges over the Tiberbridges over the Tiber

St. Peter’s was shifting on its foundations, St. Peter’s was shifting on its foundations, with walls bowing out over six feet (built in with walls bowing out over six feet (built in early 300’s): he began the process of building early 300’s): he began the process of building a new St. Peter’sa new St. Peter’s

He built the Sistine Chapel as a fortress He built the Sistine Chapel as a fortress against the Roman mob so that the cardinals against the Roman mob so that the cardinals could elect a new pope safely.could elect a new pope safely.

Constantinian Basilica Constantinian Basilica of St Peters over the of St Peters over the

Circus of NeroCircus of Nero

Interior of Renaissance St Peter’s in Rome

BAD things he did as pope: BAD things he did as pope: Spent lots of money on the papacySpent lots of money on the papacy Enriched his family with favors, money, Enriched his family with favors, money,

officesoffices Appointed two dissolute sons as cardinalsAppointed two dissolute sons as cardinals

Interfered with the politics of other Italian Interfered with the politics of other Italian city statescity states Supported the Pazzi Conspiracy against the Supported the Pazzi Conspiracy against the

Medici, and when Lorenzo took revenge, went to Medici, and when Lorenzo took revenge, went to war against Florencewar against Florence

Got Venice to attack Ferrarra, then bawled them Got Venice to attack Ferrarra, then bawled them out for continuing the fighting he instigatedout for continuing the fighting he instigated

Good things he didGood things he did Built the Sistine Chapel, the Built the Sistine Chapel, the

Sistine Bridge, and helped Sistine Bridge, and helped create the Vatican librarycreate the Vatican library

Served as patron to many Served as patron to many artistsartists

Tried to suppress the Tried to suppress the abuses of the Spanish abuses of the Spanish InquisitionInquisition

Established the first Established the first foundling hospital; built foundling hospital; built many churchesmany churches

Innocent VIIIInnocent VIII(1482-92)(1482-92)

From honorable ancient From honorable ancient family of Genoafamily of Genoa

Used the papacy to Used the papacy to generate moneygenerate money Institutionalized Institutionalized simonysimony: :

selling of offices;selling of offices; (Vatican (Vatican librarian 250 ducats, librarian 250 ducats, about $4000) even the about $4000) even the papacy was for sale.papacy was for sale.

Set up board to market Set up board to market favors, such as absolution, favors, such as absolution, even pardons for murdereven pardons for murder

Savonarola preached against him; he sent Savonarola preached against him; he sent an army to Florence to enforce a ban an army to Florence to enforce a ban against Savonarola’s preaching.against Savonarola’s preaching.

He had numerous “nephews” and “nieces” He had numerous “nephews” and “nieces” with two acknowledged children. Ironically, with two acknowledged children. Ironically, he married one of his daughters to Lorenzo he married one of his daughters to Lorenzo the Magnificent’s sons. In return, he made the Magnificent’s sons. In return, he made another of Lorenzo’s sons a cardinal at age another of Lorenzo’s sons a cardinal at age 14 (and that Medici became Pope Leo X).14 (and that Medici became Pope Leo X).

The story goes that to keep from death, The story goes that to keep from death, doctors drained the blood from three doctors drained the blood from three children for transfusions for Innocent. They children for transfusions for Innocent. They all died.all died.

Alexander VIAlexander VI(1492-1503)(1492-1503)

Spanish cardinal; 2Spanish cardinal; 2ndnd Borgia pope (Callixtus III, Borgia pope (Callixtus III, his uncle, was the first)his uncle, was the first)

During his pontificate the During his pontificate the church was brought to its church was brought to its lowest level of lowest level of degradation: he was degradation: he was criticized by Savonarola for criticized by Savonarola for his excesses and his excesses and immorality: had Florence immorality: had Florence kill Savonarola.kill Savonarola.

Elected over a Sforza and Elected over a Sforza and a della Rovere, with more a della Rovere, with more money spent to bribe than money spent to bribe than any past papal election.any past papal election.

Corruption, corruption, Corruption, corruption, corruptioncorruption

Three main (married) mistresses: he acknowledged Three main (married) mistresses: he acknowledged some of his children, including Cesare and Lucrezia some of his children, including Cesare and Lucrezia

He spent lavishly to enrich his family and buy lands and He spent lavishly to enrich his family and buy lands and titles for themtitles for them Went to war to get territory for Cesare (for whom he’d already Went to war to get territory for Cesare (for whom he’d already

bought an archbishopric) and two nephews to rulebought an archbishopric) and two nephews to rule Lavish wedding for Lucrezia (first husband not rich enough, so Lavish wedding for Lucrezia (first husband not rich enough, so

Alexander annulled it and married her off to someone richer and Alexander annulled it and married her off to someone richer and more noble—then repeated the process for a third husband, more noble—then repeated the process for a third husband, who loved her.)who loved her.)

Created 12 new cardinalates, including one for Cesare (18 years Created 12 new cardinalates, including one for Cesare (18 years old) and one for the brother of his then mistressold) and one for the brother of his then mistress

Gambling, cheating, women from brothels brought for bawdy Gambling, cheating, women from brothels brought for bawdy exhibitions at St Peter’s exhibitions at St Peter’s

Greedy: any cardinal, nobleman, official (even his Greedy: any cardinal, nobleman, official (even his secretary)known to be rich would be accused of some offense; secretary)known to be rich would be accused of some offense; imprisonment and perhaps murder followed at once, and then imprisonment and perhaps murder followed at once, and then the pope confiscated his property. the pope confiscated his property.

Family Scandals: what Borgias Family Scandals: what Borgias were most noted forwere most noted for

One of Alexander’s sons was murdered One of Alexander’s sons was murdered (body found in the Tiber), probably by (body found in the Tiber), probably by another son. another son.

Stories: both sleeping with Lucrezia, Stories: both sleeping with Lucrezia, their sister, along with the pope their sister, along with the pope himself, her father; hints that they himself, her father; hints that they even fathered children with her (no even fathered children with her (no serious evidence of the incest)serious evidence of the incest)

Cesare had Lucrezia’s third husband Cesare had Lucrezia’s third husband murdered so that the pope could marry murdered so that the pope could marry her off to a third, even richer, more her off to a third, even richer, more noble husband (she was only 22). She noble husband (she was only 22). She had an uneventful life from then on, had an uneventful life from then on, although several well placed people did although several well placed people did die conveniently, resulting in a die conveniently, resulting in a reputation for poisoning.reputation for poisoning.

Both Cesare and Alexander contracted Both Cesare and Alexander contracted malaria (stories said they were malaria (stories said they were poisoned) and died about the same poisoned) and died about the same timetime

Julius IIJulius II(1503-13)(1503-13)

A Della Rovere , nephew of A Della Rovere , nephew of Sixtus IVSixtus IV Targeted by the Borgias, was for Targeted by the Borgias, was for

exiled 10 years before Alexander’s exiled 10 years before Alexander’s deathdeath

Greatest art patron of the popesGreatest art patron of the popes close friendship with Michelangelo close friendship with Michelangelo

““Moses” for his tomb in St. Peter’sMoses” for his tomb in St. Peter’s Sistine chapel ceilingSistine chapel ceiling

patronage of other artists, including patronage of other artists, including Bramante and Raphael. Bramante and Raphael.

Raphael’s paintings in his libraryRaphael’s paintings in his library

One of the most powerful rulers One of the most powerful rulers of his age. of his age. led military efforts to prevent led military efforts to prevent

French domination of Italy. French domination of Italy.

Worldly PopeWorldly Pope Irony: elected with the liberal help of simony, Immediately Irony: elected with the liberal help of simony, Immediately

after his election he decreed all future simoniacal papal after his election he decreed all future simoniacal papal elections would be invalid, subject to penalty. elections would be invalid, subject to penalty.

Inspired great artistic creations of Bramante, Raphael, and Inspired great artistic creations of Bramante, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Michelangelo.

Following an overall plan, he added many fine buildings to Following an overall plan, he added many fine buildings to Rome and laid the groundwork in the Vatican Museum for Rome and laid the groundwork in the Vatican Museum for the world's greatest collection of antiquities. the world's greatest collection of antiquities.

Many Italian churches benefitted from his encouragement Many Italian churches benefitted from his encouragement of the arts including Sta. Maria del Popolo in Rome, for of the arts including Sta. Maria del Popolo in Rome, for which he commissioned Andrea Sansovino to create which he commissioned Andrea Sansovino to create sepulchres for a number of cardinals and Pinturicchio to sepulchres for a number of cardinals and Pinturicchio to paint the frescoes in the apse. paint the frescoes in the apse.

Around 1503 the Pope conceived the idea of building a new Around 1503 the Pope conceived the idea of building a new basilica of St. Peter, the first model of which Bramante basilica of St. Peter, the first model of which Bramante created. Its foundation stone was laid on April 18, 1506. created. Its foundation stone was laid on April 18, 1506.

Warrior Pope: Italy's saviourWarrior Pope: Italy's saviour Julius II main task = the restoration of the Papal States, reduced to Julius II main task = the restoration of the Papal States, reduced to

ruin by the Borgias, with large portions appropriated by Venice ruin by the Borgias, with large portions appropriated by Venice after Alexander VI's deathafter Alexander VI's death

Subjugated Perugia and Bologna in the autumn of 1508. Subjugated Perugia and Bologna in the autumn of 1508. Joined League of Cambrai, anti-Venetian alliance formed between Joined League of Cambrai, anti-Venetian alliance formed between

French king Louis XII, ruling Milan, HRE Emperor Maximilian I, and French king Louis XII, ruling Milan, HRE Emperor Maximilian I, and Ferdinand II of Spain, king of Naples. The league defeated Venice Ferdinand II of Spain, king of Naples. The league defeated Venice in May 1509 near Cremona: Papal States were restored. in May 1509 near Cremona: Papal States were restored.

Drove the French from ItalyDrove the French from Italy second war unsuccessful; several cardinals defected to Louis XII.second war unsuccessful; several cardinals defected to Louis XII. So Julius made alliance with Venice and Ferdinand II of Spain and So Julius made alliance with Venice and Ferdinand II of Spain and

Naples in October 1511. Naples in October 1511. Louis XII had defeated the troops of the alliance at Ravenna in April Louis XII had defeated the troops of the alliance at Ravenna in April

1512, but when Swiss troops were sent to the Pope's aid, the 1512, but when Swiss troops were sent to the Pope's aid, the territories in northern Italy occupied by the French revolted, the French territories in northern Italy occupied by the French revolted, the French left the countryleft the country

Reward: the Papal States absorbed Parma and Piacenza. Reward: the Papal States absorbed Parma and Piacenza. Toward the end of his life, he viewed with concern the replacement of Toward the end of his life, he viewed with concern the replacement of

French by Spanish efforts to attain supremacy in Italy. French by Spanish efforts to attain supremacy in Italy.

Pope Leo XPope Leo X(1513-21)(1513-21)

Son of Lorenzo the Son of Lorenzo the MagnificentMagnificent

Carried out some of the Carried out some of the building of St. Peter’sbuilding of St. Peter’s

Responsible for Luther’s Responsible for Luther’s beginning the beginning the ReformationReformation

Normal practice for Normal practice for Renaissance Popes: corruption Renaissance Popes: corruption

and hedonismand hedonism Though didn’t father children as some of his Though didn’t father children as some of his

predecessors, did live a life of pleasure “God predecessors, did live a life of pleasure “God gave us the papacy. Let us enjoy it.”gave us the papacy. Let us enjoy it.”

Appointed 3 nephews and 2 first cousins to Appointed 3 nephews and 2 first cousins to cardinalatescardinalates

During his tenure, so much corruption that During his tenure, so much corruption that Rome became a dangerous place: 4-5 Rome became a dangerous place: 4-5 murdered every night, including bishops and murdered every night, including bishops and other prelates both as victims and murderersother prelates both as victims and murderers

Beginning of IndulgencesBeginning of Indulgences

Rebuilding St. Peter’s: needed money to Rebuilding St. Peter’s: needed money to finish it and had already spent the Vatican’s finish it and had already spent the Vatican’s on own pleasureson own pleasures

Plenary indulgences already declared for Plenary indulgences already declared for those on crusades: applying amassed those on crusades: applying amassed virtue and good deeds and goodness of virtue and good deeds and goodness of saints to purchasers.saints to purchasers.

Hired Tetzel, a German charismatic Hired Tetzel, a German charismatic preacher, to sell indulgences in the HRE and preacher, to sell indulgences in the HRE and told German archbishops they could share told German archbishops they could share any funds collected.any funds collected.

He declared that indulgences good not only He declared that indulgences good not only for person purchasing them, but also for for person purchasing them, but also for their dead relatives.their dead relatives.