Girolamo Savonarola

"Why are you here? Why do you disturb me? You should be cleansing your homes, cleansing your SELVES!"

―Savonarola, after a mob swarms the Palazzo Pitti.

Girolamo Savonarola (21 September 1452 - 23 May 1498) was a Dominican friar and the leader of Florence from 1494 to 1498.

Biography

Savonarola was born in the city of Ferrara. At a young age, Savonarola took a moral stance against the corrupt clergy present in Renaissance Italy.

In 1475, Savonarola studied at Santo Spirito and became a Dominican friar. In 1482, Savonarola was dispatched to Florence, "The City Of His Destiny" by the order. During the 1480's he made no impression; he was often called a poor public speaker. He departed Florence in 1487, back to Bologna.

Battle of Forlì

In 1488, Savonarola resided in Forlì for some time and caught wind there of the existence of the "Apple of Eden" when he passed by the Orsi brothers, who were conversing with Caterina Sforza. He eavesdropped the conversation and kept a close eye on the Orsi.

Savonarola eavesdropping on the Orsi brothers.

Right before Checco Orsi was killed by Ezio Auditore da Firenze's hidden blade, Checco stabbed Ezio in the abdomen. Ezio fell to the ground due to the pain of his wound. Right before he lost consciousness, Savonarola appeared and took the Piece of Eden from him.

Bonfire of the Vanities

After the death of Lorenzo de' Medici in 1492, Savonarola used the Apple he had stolen to take over Florence. After uniting the city under his banner, he started to destroy all Renaissance art pieces, due to him wanting to revert to Medieval times. The Grand Master of the Templar Order, Pope Alexander VI, found out that Savonarola had the Apple of Eden in his possession and therefore sent several troops of his Papal army to retrieve it, with no succes.

Ezio Auditore returned to Florence in 1497 and started making plans to overthrow Savonarola and retrieve the Apple of Eden.

Ezio concluded that Savonarola's rule was being forced upon the people by his nine lieutenants, who were suppressing the Florentines. Ezio killed all nine of Savonarola's lieutenants, who were all either lured into serving Savonarola or Savonarola used the Apple to control them. As Ezio successfully killed each of the lieutenant, who were spread all over Florence, La Volpe and Paola, other Assassins, began to encourage the people to fight for themselves. Eventually, Savonarola's grip over Florence was gone.

An angry mob gathered in front of Savonarola's residence, the Palazzo Pitti, to stand up against him. Savonarola tried to control the mob with the Apple of Eden, but Ezio threw a knife at Savonarola's hand which caused him to drop the Apple. With Savonarola powerless, the mob took him away and a Templar guard ran away with the Apple. Ezio chased and killed the guard and came into possession of the Apple again.

Death

Savonarola was eventually taken by the Florentine citizens to his execution: being burned alive. Meanwhile, three Assassins were watching the execution from behind the crowd. Ezio ultimately decided that nobody should die in such agony and went towards Savonarola. Ezio stabbed him in the neck with his hidden blade before the flames could reach him and so was the end of Girolamo Savonarola.

In the Assassin's Creed Renaissance novel, Ezio shoots him instead of stabbing him.

Savonarola's death greatly upset the Borgia family, as they were desperate to take the Apple of Eden for themselves.

The nine lieutenants

These are Savonarola's followers.

• The Painter
• The Doctor
• The Preacher
• The Farmer
• The Condottorio
• The Merchant
• The Nobleman
• The Priest
• The Captain Guard

Final words

Girolamo Savonarola: It's you... I knew this day would come. Please... show mercy.

Ezio Auditore: I have. Va' ora. Che sia il tuo Dio a giudicarti. (Go now- that you may be judged by your God). Requiescat in pace. (Rest in peace).

(Outside the animus scene)

Trivia

thumb|right|306px|Savonarola's first appearance.

• In 1488, Savonarola was missing his pinky finger, although the reason for this is unknown.
• In real life, Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia) excommunicated him and had him crucified and burned alive.
• Savonarola is the only known antagonist not to be a Templar nor affiliated with them.
• Savonarola's character seems to be quite similar to that of Jubair al Hakim from Assassins Creed. Both men believed that knowledge is the path to evil and sin, and both men organized massive bonfires throughout their cities to burn books and other sources of knowledge that they believed corrupted society. The missions to assassinate them are also very similar, as in both situations the player must take down each of the assassination targets lieutenants before actually confronting the target (optional in Assassin's Creed).
• In the novel based on Assassin's Creed II, Ezio figures out that Savonarola's men had killed Christina Vespucci which infuriates him.

Gallery

• 
• 
  Savonarola with the Piece of Eden.
• 
• Savonarola using the Piece of Eden to control Florence.
  Savonarola using the Piece of Eden to control Florence.
• Savonarola being carried away by an angry mob.
  Savonarola being carried away by an angry mob.
• Ezio assassinating Savonarola.
  Ezio assassinating Savonarola.