Renaissance Popes Medicis, Borgias and others

Sixtus IV (Pope: ) Who you need to know because the Sistine Chapel is named for him Who you need to know because the Sistine Chapel is named for him Della Rovere family (poor family from Savona) Della Rovere family (poor family from Savona)

Restoring Rome When he took over, the papacy had little prestige and Rome was a shambles because of the Avignon Captivity When he took over, the papacy had little prestige and Rome was a shambles because of the Avignon Captivity He rebuilt many of the dilapidated churches and buildings, improved the streets and built bridges over the Tiber He rebuilt many of the dilapidated churches and buildings, improved the streets and built bridges over the Tiber St. Peter’s was shifting on its foundations, with walls bowing out over six feet (built in early 300’s): he began the process of building a new St. Peter’s St. Peter’s was shifting on its foundations, with walls bowing out over six feet (built in early 300’s): he began the process of building a new St. Peter’s He built the Sistine Chapel as a fortress against the Roman mob so that the cardinals could elect a new pope safely. He built the Sistine Chapel as a fortress against the Roman mob so that the cardinals could elect a new pope safely.

Constantinian Basilica of St Peters over the Circus of Nero

Interior of Renaissance St Peter’s in Rome

BAD things he did as pope: Spent lots of money on the papacy Spent lots of money on the papacy Enriched his family with favors, money, offices Enriched his family with favors, money, offices Appointed two dissolute sons as cardinals Appointed two dissolute sons as cardinals Interfered with the politics of other Italian city states Interfered with the politics of other Italian city states Supported the Pazzi Conspiracy against the Medici, and when Lorenzo took revenge, went to war against Florence Supported the Pazzi Conspiracy against the Medici, and when Lorenzo took revenge, went to war against Florence Got Venice to attack Ferrarra, then bawled them out for continuing the fighting he instigated Got Venice to attack Ferrarra, then bawled them out for continuing the fighting he instigated

Good things he did Built the Sistine Chapel, the Sistine Bridge, and helped create the Vatican library Built the Sistine Chapel, the Sistine Bridge, and helped create the Vatican library Served as patron to many artists Served as patron to many artists Tried to suppress the abuses of the Spanish Inquisition Tried to suppress the abuses of the Spanish Inquisition Established the first foundling hospital; built many churches Established the first foundling hospital; built many churches

Innocent VIII ( ) From honorable ancient family of Genoa From honorable ancient family of Genoa Used the papacy to generate money Used the papacy to generate money Institutionalized simony: selling of offices;(Vatican librarian 250 ducats, about $4000) even the papacy was for sale. Institutionalized simony: selling of offices;(Vatican librarian 250 ducats, about $4000) even the papacy was for sale. Set up board to market favors, such as absolution, even pardons for murder Set up board to market favors, such as absolution, even pardons for murder

Savonarola preached against him; he sent an army to Florence to enforce a ban against Savonarola’s preaching. Savonarola preached against him; he sent an army to Florence to enforce a ban against Savonarola’s preaching. He had numerous “nephews” and “nieces” with two acknowledged children. Ironically, he married one of his daughters to Lorenzo the Magnificent’s sons. In return, he made another of Lorenzo’s sons a cardinal at age 14 (and that Medici became Pope Leo X). He had numerous “nephews” and “nieces” with two acknowledged children. Ironically, he married one of his daughters to Lorenzo the Magnificent’s sons. In return, he made another of Lorenzo’s sons a cardinal at age 14 (and that Medici became Pope Leo X). The story goes that to keep from death, doctors drained the blood from three children for transfusions for Innocent. They all died. The story goes that to keep from death, doctors drained the blood from three children for transfusions for Innocent. They all died.

Alexander VI ( ) Spanish cardinal; 2 nd Borgia pope (Callixtus III, his uncle, was the first) Spanish cardinal; 2 nd Borgia pope (Callixtus III, his uncle, was the first) During his pontificate the church was brought to its lowest level of degradation: he was criticized by Savonarola for his excesses and immorality: had Florence kill Savonarola. During his pontificate the church was brought to its lowest level of degradation: he was criticized by Savonarola for his excesses and immorality: had Florence kill Savonarola. Elected over a Sforza and a della Rovere, with more money spent to bribe than any past papal election. Elected over a Sforza and a della Rovere, with more money spent to bribe than any past papal election.

Corruption, corruption, corruption Three main (married) mistresses: he acknowledged some of his children, including Cesare and Lucrezia Three main (married) mistresses: he acknowledged some of his children, including Cesare and Lucrezia He spent lavishly to enrich his family and buy lands and titles for them He spent lavishly to enrich his family and buy lands and titles for them Went to war to get territory for Cesare (for whom he’d already bought an archbishopric) and two nephews to rule Went to war to get territory for Cesare (for whom he’d already bought an archbishopric) and two nephews to rule Lavish wedding for Lucrezia (first husband not rich enough, so Alexander annulled it and married her off to someone richer and more noble—then repeated the process for a third husband, who loved her.) Lavish wedding for Lucrezia (first husband not rich enough, so Alexander annulled it and married her off to someone richer and more noble—then repeated the process for a third husband, who loved her.) Created 12 new cardinalates, including one for Cesare (18 years old) and one for the brother of his then mistress Created 12 new cardinalates, including one for Cesare (18 years old) and one for the brother of his then mistress Gambling, cheating, women from brothels brought for bawdy exhibitions at St Peter’s Gambling, cheating, women from brothels brought for bawdy exhibitions at St Peter’s Greedy: any cardinal, nobleman, official (even his secretary)known to be rich would be accused of some offense; imprisonment and perhaps murder followed at once, and then the pope confiscated his property. Greedy: any cardinal, nobleman, official (even his secretary)known to be rich would be accused of some offense; imprisonment and perhaps murder followed at once, and then the pope confiscated his property.

Family Scandals: what Borgias were most noted for One of Alexander’s sons was murdered (body found in the Tiber), probably by another son. One of Alexander’s sons was murdered (body found in the Tiber), probably by another son. Stories: both sleeping with Lucrezia, their sister, along with the pope himself, her father; hints that they even fathered children with her (no serious evidence of the incest) Stories: both sleeping with Lucrezia, their sister, along with the pope himself, her father; hints that they even fathered children with her (no serious evidence of the incest) Cesare had Lucrezia’s third husband murdered so that the pope could marry her off to a third, even richer, more noble husband (she was only 22). She had an uneventful life from then on, although several well placed people did die conveniently, resulting in a reputation for poisoning. Cesare had Lucrezia’s third husband murdered so that the pope could marry her off to a third, even richer, more noble husband (she was only 22). She had an uneventful life from then on, although several well placed people did die conveniently, resulting in a reputation for poisoning. Both Cesare and Alexander contracted malaria (stories said they were poisoned) and died about the same time Both Cesare and Alexander contracted malaria (stories said they were poisoned) and died about the same time

Julius II ( ) A Della Rovere, nephew of Sixtus IV A Della Rovere, nephew of Sixtus IV Targeted by the Borgias, was for exiled 10 years before Alexander’s death Targeted by the Borgias, was for exiled 10 years before Alexander’s death Greatest art patron of the popes Greatest art patron of the popes close friendship with Michelangelo close friendship with Michelangelo “Moses” for his tomb in St. Peter’s “Moses” for his tomb in St. Peter’s Sistine chapel ceiling Sistine chapel ceiling patronage of other artists, including Bramante and Raphael. patronage of other artists, including Bramante and Raphael. Raphael’s paintings in his library Raphael’s paintings in his library One of the most powerful rulers of his age. One of the most powerful rulers of his age. led military efforts to prevent French domination of Italy. led military efforts to prevent French domination of Italy.

Worldly Pope Irony: elected with the liberal help of simony, Immediately after his election he decreed all future simoniacal papal elections would be invalid, subject to penalty. Irony: elected with the liberal help of simony, Immediately after his election he decreed all future simoniacal papal elections would be invalid, subject to penalty. Inspired great artistic creations of Bramante, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Inspired great artistic creations of Bramante, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Following an overall plan, he added many fine buildings to Rome and laid the groundwork in the Vatican Museum for the world's greatest collection of antiquities. Following an overall plan, he added many fine buildings to Rome and laid the groundwork in the Vatican Museum for the world's greatest collection of antiquities. Many Italian churches benefitted from his encouragement of the arts including Sta. Maria del Popolo in Rome, for which he commissioned Andrea Sansovino to create sepulchres for a number of cardinals and Pinturicchio to paint the frescoes in the apse. Many Italian churches benefitted from his encouragement of the arts including Sta. Maria del Popolo in Rome, for which he commissioned Andrea Sansovino to create sepulchres for a number of cardinals and Pinturicchio to paint the frescoes in the apse. Around 1503 the Pope conceived the idea of building a new basilica of St. Peter, the first model of which Bramante created. Its foundation stone was laid on April 18, Around 1503 the Pope conceived the idea of building a new basilica of St. Peter, the first model of which Bramante created. Its foundation stone was laid on April 18, 1506.

Warrior Pope: Italy's saviour Julius II main task = the restoration of the Papal States, reduced to ruin by the Borgias, with large portions appropriated by Venice after Alexander VI's death Julius II main task = the restoration of the Papal States, reduced to ruin by the Borgias, with large portions appropriated by Venice after Alexander VI's death Subjugated Perugia and Bologna in the autumn of Subjugated Perugia and Bologna in the autumn of Joined League of Cambrai, anti-Venetian alliance formed between French king Louis XII, ruling Milan, HRE Emperor Maximilian I, and Ferdinand II of Spain, king of Naples. The league defeated Venice in May 1509 near Cremona: Papal States were restored. Joined League of Cambrai, anti-Venetian alliance formed between French king Louis XII, ruling Milan, HRE Emperor Maximilian I, and Ferdinand II of Spain, king of Naples. The league defeated Venice in May 1509 near Cremona: Papal States were restored. Drove the French from Italy Drove 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 Naples in October So Julius made alliance with Venice and Ferdinand II of Spain and Naples in October 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 territories in northern Italy occupied by the French revolted, the French left the country 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 territories in northern Italy occupied by the French revolted, the French left 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 French by Spanish efforts to attain supremacy in Italy. Toward the end of his life, he viewed with concern the replacement of French by Spanish efforts to attain supremacy in Italy.

Pope Leo X ( ) Son of Lorenzo the Magnificent Son of Lorenzo the Magnificent Carried out some of the building of St. Peter’s Carried out some of the building of St. Peter’s Responsible for Luther’s beginning the Reformation Responsible for Luther’s beginning the Reformation

Normal practice for Renaissance Popes: corruption and hedonism Though didn’t father children as some of his predecessors, did live a life of pleasure “God gave us the papacy. Let us enjoy it.” Though didn’t father children as some of his predecessors, did live a life of pleasure “God gave us the papacy. Let us enjoy it.” Appointed 3 nephews and 2 first cousins to cardinalates Appointed 3 nephews and 2 first cousins to cardinalates During his tenure, so much corruption that Rome became a dangerous place: 4-5 murdered every night, including bishops and other prelates both as victims and murderers During his tenure, so much corruption that Rome became a dangerous place: 4-5 murdered every night, including bishops and other prelates both as victims and murderers

Beginning of Indulgences Rebuilding St. Peter’s: needed money to finish it and had already spent the Vatican’s on own pleasures Rebuilding St. Peter’s: needed money to finish it and had already spent the Vatican’s on own pleasures Plenary indulgences already declared for those on crusades: applying amassed virtue and good deeds and goodness of saints to purchasers. Plenary indulgences already declared for those on crusades: applying amassed virtue and good deeds and goodness of saints to purchasers. Hired Tetzel, a German charismatic preacher, to sell indulgences in the HRE and told German archbishops they could share any funds collected. Hired Tetzel, a German charismatic preacher, to sell indulgences in the HRE and told German archbishops they could share any funds collected. He declared that indulgences good not only for person purchasing them, but also for their dead relatives. He declared that indulgences good not only for person purchasing them, but also for their dead relatives.