Girolamo Savonarola was an Italian Dominican friar, born in Ferrara but preached in Florence. During 1498 he controlled Florence briefly up until his prosecution from the church. His teachings were based on the fact that he wanted the people of Florence to return to the ways of God. He took this to extraordinary measures by ordering the people to burn books, paintings, and etc. Savonarola viewed this paintings as immoral and ordered them to be thrown in a bonfire at the Piazza del Signoria. Friar Girolamo was of the Roman Catholic decent and was said to be very close to God, so close that he had visions from God himself. He, however, did not like the clergy of the church. In fact he spoken wrongfully about the Popes, in particular Pope Alexander VI saying, "He is no longer a Christian." Savonarola saw the clergy as morally corrupted (Kreis). Finally in 1497, the Dominicans, Franciscans, and the church in Rome had enough of Savonarola and his preachings and had him put to trial for heresy claiming that he has had false visions from God. A council of eight ruled him guilty and was sentenced to be executed.
Girolamo Savonarola and two of his accomplices were to be burned to death. They were executed in the Piazza del Signoria, which is ironic knowing that is where Savonarola held to burning of the immoral artifacts. As described in the course packet on page 73 and 74, it says that there is a ringhiera (stage or raised platform in the Piazza) with three solid pieces of wood that stood roughly twenty-three inches high. All three of them were burned to death. The course packet goes into detail about how the legs and arms gradually burnt off and onlookers would throw stones in order to make them fall off. The executioners then cut down the post and lit that on fire also in an attempt to get rid of everything, leaving no trace (CP, 73).
Sources:
Course Packet, pp. 73-74
Just wondering but in your post you claim that Girolamo Savonarola controlled the city of Florence at one point. I just wanted to ask exactly what you meant by that? I mean did he have sway with the general public or was it more tyrant-type power?
ReplyDeleteI don't know for sure. From what I read though, I would have to say he swayed the general public. It seemed to me that he preached the word of God, but did not like the way the church was being run at the time. He persuaded the general public at first, but then the church stepped in and the people of Florence realized that he was wrong and eventually charged him as a heretic.
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