Girolamo Savonarola

1452
Ferrara, Italy
May 23, 1498
Florence, Italy

Preacher, reformer

The Italian preacher and reformer Girolamo Savonarola was one of the most distinctive figures of the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a cultural movement which began in Italy in the mid-1300s. It was initiated by scholars called humanists who promoted the human-centered values of ancient Greece and Rome. Humanist ideals were soon influencing the arts, literature, philosophy, science, religion, and politics in Italy. Claiming the gift of prophecy, the mendicant monk (member of a religious order dedicated to a life of poverty) rose to power in Florence, Italy, through his harsh criticism of the Roman Catholic Church. He was angered by the corrupt behavior of popes, cardinals, and bishops. He demanded stricter adherence to the spiritual values of Christianity and greater social awareness of the poor. Earning the title, "Preacher of the Despairing," Savonarola gave immensely popular sermons (religious speeches on proper moral conduct) and became famous for his visions. His first vision was about the "Scourge [whip] of the Church," which would come to banish the evil materialism of the Catholic clergy. He also correctly predicted the deaths of Lorenzo de' Medici (1449–1492; see entry), the powerful duke of Florence, and Pope Innocent VIII (1432–1492; reigned 1484–92), who both died in 1492.

Becomes popular preacher

Savonarola was born in Ferrara, Italy, the son of a banker. His grandfather, Michele Savonarola, was a noted physician and medical writer. After receiving a humanistic education (a curriculum based on study of ancient Greek and Latin literary texts), Girolamo earned a master's degree and studied medicine. In 1475 he entered the monastery of San Domenico in Bologna, Italy. He vowed to become a champion of Christ and battle human misery and sin. He studied theology (theory of religion) until 1482, when he was assigned to San Marco, a monastery in Florence. He began to preach on such themes as sin, God's punishment, and Christ's redeeming love. Savonarola was unsuccessful at first because his voice and accent annoyed the cultured citizens of Florence, who found his sermons boring. Away from Florence, however, his preaching was more dramatic. Savonarola served for three years at a monastery in Bologna before returning to San Marco in 1490.

Around 1491 Savonarola was named prior (second in rank to the abbot, or head, of a monastery) of San Marco. By now his preaching had become immensely popular, not only with the common people but also with the leading intellectuals and artists in Lorenzo de' Medici's circle. They flocked around him, many describing themselves as spellbound by his eloquence. They were convinced that his sermons were divinely inspired, that is, he was speaking the word of God. Well-born ladies and gentlemen also attended his sermons and pressed him for private attention. Savonarola's sermons reached a peak during Advent (a period beginning four Sundays before Christmas) in 1492, when he prophesied the coming of the "Scourge of Italy." This vision may have been prompted by the election of the new pope (supreme head of the Roman Catholic Church), Alexander VI (1431–1503; see entry), after the death of Innocent VIII. Alexander's behavior—taking mistresses, advancing members of his own family to prominent church positions, and squandering money on clothes and horses—was outrageous even in a time known for its corruption and decadence (decline). Savonarola set out to reform the church in Florence. His first step was to withdraw the monastery of San Marco from the Congregation of Lombardy, the ruling organization of monasteries in the region. He then formed a new, stricter congregation, Congregation of Tuscany (later renamed the Congregation of San Marco) which was approved by the pope in 1493. Savonarola saw the separation as the beginning of reform in the church. Expanding his movement, he convinced other monasteries to join his congregation. In his own monastery, he demanded that monks give up all possessions, which were then sold to raise money for the poor.

Initiates new government in Florence

Savonarola had also been criticizing the city government and was a bitter enemy of Lorenzo de' Medici before the duke's death. In 1494 Savonarola's prophecy of the "Scourge of Italy" was fulfilled when King Charles VIII (1470–1498; ruled 1483–98) of France invaded Italy in the first phase of the Italian Wars (a conflict between France and Spain over control of territory in Italy; 1494–1559). Lorenzo's son and the new duke of Florence, Piero de' Medici (1471–1503), fled from Italy and threw himself upon the mercy of the French king. The leading political body of Florence, the Signoria, elected Savonarola to ask Charles to insure Florence's security and safety but withdrawing his army from Florence. At first the king resisted Savonarola's request, but after extensive discussion the French army left Florence. Savonarola then turned to the problem of a new government without the Medicis. He proposed replacing the city's numerous councils with a single body modeled on the Maggior Consiglio (great council) in Venice. The new government, called the Consiglio Maggiore, was adopted in December 1494. It was the largest government Florence had ever had, with about three thousand members, all of them male. Savonarola hailed the new measure as the foundation of the governo popolare, or popular government, and claimed credit for it.

In his sermons Savonarola suggested new policies. For instance, he demanded an increase in jobs for the lower classes and relief for the poor. He also urged the churches to melt down their gold and silver ornaments to buy bread for the hungry. In 1495 he met resistance when a group called the Tiepidi(the lukewarm) was formed by priests, nuns, and monks who were opposed to strict observance of the vows of poverty and obedience. The Tiepidi received support from Pope Alexander, Duke Ludovico Sforza (1452–1508) of Milan, and Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I (1459–1519; reigned 1493–1519), who had formed an alliance, called the Holy League, to oppose Charles VIII. The League needed backing from Florence, but first they had to remove Savonarola from power.

The "New Jerusalem"

Beginning in December 1494, when Florence adopted a new form of government, Girolamo Savonarola preached almost daily. He envisioned a city in which politics and religion were interrelated. He took credit for the fact that Florence was now safe and free, claiming this was evidence of his godly ministry and the city's divine election. Now Florentines must "reform their consciences," make good laws, and fulfill the city's destiny as the New Jerusalem (Jerusalem is the city in Palestine where Jesus Christ, lived and spread the teachings that are the basis of Christianity.) The fourth age of the world, the state of uninspired Christians, was ending, Savonarola said. The fifth age, of the Antichrist (enemy of Christ), was about to begin. In partnership with the crusader king, Charles VIII of France, Florence would lead the world out of the fifth age into the sixth and final age of universal Christianity and peace. "Spread your empire," he urged the Florentines, "and thus you will have power temporal [earthly] and spiritual."

Surrounded by zealous priests and lay followers—called Piagnoni, or wailers, by their enemies—Savonarola took his campaign directly to the people. He and his lieutenants gave frequent, intense sermons, rallying the city's riotous youth. They staged religious processions and organized the notorious "bonfires of the vanities," burning suggestive books and pictures, immodest clothing and female ornaments, and playing cards and dice—all considered dangerous to good morals.

Challenged by pope

In 1495 Savonarola became ill with dysentery (an intestinal disease caused by an infection). Although his doctors told him to rest, he returned to the pulpit and delivered stinging sermons against his opponents, especially the Tiepidi. In response, Pope Alexander sent an official letter stating that certain people had accused Savonarola of committing heresy, or violation of the laws of the church, and false prophecy and troubling the peace of the church. Though he praised Savonarola's work, Alexander insisted that he come to Rome to defend himself. Since Savonarola was still weak from his illness, he asked permission to stay in Florence. The pope agreed, but told him to stop preaching until the accusations could be proven false. Over the next few months Savonarola's supporters continued to cause social and political unrest in Florence. The pope finally became angry about the situation and ordered Savonarola to stand trial. When an investigation found no evidence against Savonarola, Alexander canceled plans for a trial but would not lift the ban on preaching.

In 1496 the people of Florence persuaded the pope to allow Savonarola to preach sermons during Lent. (Lent is a forty-day period of fasting and prayer before Easter, the holy day commemorating Jesus's resurrection from the dead.) Once again Savonarola lashed out at the church, charging that abuses had gone beyond all bounds and that the clergy no longer observed their own rules. He met with opposition, however, when he demanded that the government pass stricter laws regulating the dress and ornamentation of Florentine women. By refusing to pass such a statute, city leaders took their first step away from Savonarola's reform platform. In 1497 new members of the Signoria who supported the Holy League began passing laws that limited Savonarola's preaching. On May 4, a gang of young aristocrats known as the Compagnacci (bad companions) started a riot while he was giving a sermon, apparently hoping to kill him. Though loyal monks saved his life, Florentine leaders identified him as the source of discontent in the city, and many demanded his exile. Alexander then excommunicated (expelled from the church) Savonarola and his followers for committing heresy. This event brought a deeper split among the Florentine factions, or opposing groups. In July the pope and his cardinals decided Savonarola must either come to Rome or abandon his reforms.

The final showdown between Savonarola and the pope began on February 11, 1498, when Alexander ordered the Signoria to silence the disobedient monk In April, Florentine officials conducted two three-day trials. During both trials they tortured and questioned Savonarola for evidence against him and two companions, Fra (Brother) Domenico da Pescia and Fra Silvestro Maruffi. Though Savonarola signed a confession, lack of sufficient evidence led to the second trial. With the verdict already decided, a two-day church trial then took place in May. The church court passed a death sentence for all three clergymen. On May 23, 1498, Savonarola and his two companions were hanged and their bodies were cremated, or burned. Government officials scattered the ashes in the Arno River to prevent the veneration (declaration of holiness) of the remains.

Outside Florence the interest in Savonarola's prophecy had been widespread. Venice was the major center for the publication of his sermons and writings. Savonarola's reputation as a spiritual leader and reformer grew steadily. His meditations, devotional literature, and religious ideas were translated into many European languages. His fervid commitment to Christian teachings was an important influence on the Spirituali, a group of sixteenth-century Catholic reformers. Martin Luther (1483–1546; see entry) and other Protestant reformers regarded him as a forerunner to their movement. In the eighteenth century Savonarola again became a symbol of liberation and spiritual rebirth in Europe. He was the subject of numerous historical dramas. In modern-day Italy a group of San Marco scholars, called the New Piagnoni, began collecting documents for the study of Savonarola's life and work. Other devotees are pressing for the withdrawal of his excommunication, the first step toward officially proclaiming him a saint.

For More Information

Books

De La Bedoyere, Michael. The Meddlesome Friar and the Wayward Pope; The Story of the Conflict between Savonarola and Alexander VI. Garden City, N.Y.: Hanover House, 1958.

Erlanger, Rachel. The Unarmed Prophet: Savonarola in Florence. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1988.

Web Sites

Knight, Kevin. "Girolamo Savonarola." Catholic Encyclopedia. [Online] Available http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13490a.htm, April 5, 2002.

Kren, Emil, and Daniel Marx. Portrait of Girolamo Savonarola by Bartolomeo, Fra. [Online] Available http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/html/b/bartolom/fra/savonaro.html, April 5, 2002.

"Savonarola, Girolamo." MSN Encarta. [Online] Available http://encarta.msn.com/index/conciseindex/4B/04BA3000.htm?z=1&pg=2&br=1, April 5, 2002.