Will Durant - Savonarola

The Story of Civilization - Will Durant

Book five: The Renaissance - Will Durant
Chapter 5. Savonarola and the Republic p.143-169

I. The Prophet 00:00
II. The Statesman 15:37
III. The Martyr 26:53
IV. The Republic and the Medici 51:58
V. Art under the Revolution 55:27

Girolamo Savonarola, (born September 21, 1452, Ferrara, duchy of Ferrara [Italy]—died May 23, 1498, Florence), Italian Christian preacher, reformer, and martyr, renowned for his clash with tyrannical rulers and corrupt clergy. After the overthrow of the Medici in 1494, Savonarola was the sole leader of Florence, setting up a democratic republic. His chief enemies were the duke of Milan and Pope Alexander VI, who issued numerous restraints against him, all of which were ignored.

"This channel and I do not claim any right over any of the graphics, images, songs used in this video. All rights reserved to the respective copyright owners."

[sentilthomson]

There is no evidence that Niccolo Machiavelli ever met the charismatic Dominican friar and fiery preacher, Girolamo Savonarola, but we know he attended at least one of the friar’s sermons. In a letter to Ricciardo Bechi, dated March 9, 1498, Machiavelli described his experience. He was not impressed. He wrote that, in his judgement, Savonarola was a hypocrite who, "…acts in accordance with the times and colors his lies accordingly."