Girolamo Savonarola

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Girolamo Savonarola (21 September 1452 - 23 May 1498) was a Italian Dominican Frair and the Leader of Florence from 1494 to 1498, untill he was excuted by Pope Alexander VI. Savonarlo appears in the second part of Assassin's Creed 2's DLC, the Bonfire of the Vanities.

Biography

Girolamo Savonarola was born in the city of Ferra. At a young age Savonarola took a moral stance against the corrupt clergy present in Rennaissance Italy. in 1475 Savonarola studied at Bologana, and became a Dominican Frair. In 1482, Savonarola dispatched to Florence, " the city of his destiny" by the order. During the 1480's he made no impression, often called a poor public speaker, and making ungainly gestures. He would depart Florence in 1487, back to Bologana. His return to Florence in 1490, had a more of a bigger impact. He would consantly critique the Medicis and the Catholic Church, trying to reform these regimes. Savonarola also preached the difference of the rich and poor is their property and valuables. In 1492 Lorzeno de Medici died, and his son Peiro de Medici only lasted for twoyears, thanks to the invasion of the French Army led by King Charles VIII. In 1494 Savonarola became leader of Florence and started to input his ideals and philosophy. In 1497 the infamous event, bonfire of vanities occured. His students would gather around paintings, mirros,cosmetics, and books into huge bonfires. Eventually Pope Alexander VI found Savonarola guilty of heresy, uttering prophecies, and reiligous errors. In 1498 Girolamo Savonarola was excutted and excommunicated, the same way he would burn the object he considered sinful. Savonarlo's Legacy has left a huge mark on Florentine history, and Rennaissance philosophy.

Battle of Forli

Savonarola caught wind 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 Orsis.

Right after Ezio Auditore da Firenze killed Checco Orsi and was stabbed by him, 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, 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 go back to the Medieval times. Ezio and Niccolò Machiavelli began to thwart Savonarola's plans for Florence.

Ezio did so by killing all 9 of his lieutenants, who were all either lured into serving Savonarola or Savonarola used the Apple to control them. After Ezio succesfully killed all lieutenants, 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 came by Savonarola's house to stand up against him. Savonarola's 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 guard ran away with the Apple. Ezio chased and killed the guard, and so came into possession of the Apple again.

Savonarola was eventually taken to his execution: being burned alive. Meanwhile, the Assassins were watching the execution from behind the crowd. Ezio eventually figured that nobody should die in such pain and went towards Savonarola. Ezio killed him before the flames could reach him, and so was the end of Girolamo Savonarola.

Savonarola eavesdropping on the Orsi brothers.

Trivia

• It could be possible that Savonarola somehow knew of the Templars and the Orsi brothers' plan to steal the Apple and he cleverly scavenged the Piece of Eden when both factions were at their weakest.
• In 1488 Savonarola was missing his little finger, although the reason for this was unknown.
• He is around the same age as Leonardo da Vinci.
• 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 two 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 AC1).

Gallery

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  Savonarola with the Piece of Eden.
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• Savonarola using the piece of eden to control Florence.
  Savonarola using the piece of eden to control Florence.