Girolamo Savonarola

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

―Savonarola after a mob swarms his house

Girolamo Savonarola (21 September 1452 - 23 May 1498) was a Dominican friar and the leader of Florence from 1494 to 1498, until he was excommunicated by Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia). Savonarola appears in both parts of Assassin's Creed II's DLC, but is the major antagonist in the Bonfire of the Vanities.

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. His return to Florence in 1490, had a much larger impact. He critiqued the Medicis and the Catholic Church, trying to reform them. Savonarola also preached the difference of the rich and poor is their property and valuables. In 1492 Lorenzo de' Medici died, and his son Peiro de' Medici only ruled for two years, thanks to the invasion of the French Army led by King Charles VIII. In 1494 Savonarola became leader of Florence and started to implement his ideals and philosophy. The Bonfire of the Vanities occurred in 1497, where his followers would gather paintings, cosmetics, and 'objects of vanity' into huge bonfires. Eventually Pope Alexander VI found Savonarola guilty of heresy and uttering prophecies. In 1498 Girolamo Savonarola was executed and excommunicated. Savonarola's legacy left a huge mark on Florentine history and Renaissance philosophy.

The 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.

Savonarola eavesdropping on the Orsi brothers.

Right before Checco was killed by Ezio's 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.

The 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 successfully 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 Templar 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 ultimately decided 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.

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.

• Savonarola knew of the Templars and the Orsi brothers' plan to steal the Apple. He discovered this when he was eavesdropping on the Orsi brothers when they were about to invade Forlì. Savonarola chose to wait until Checco Orsi was killed by Ezio. Ezio was successful, but ended up fainting from his wound (see above). Savonarola then cleverly took the Apple from the weakened assassin, setting the story for The Bonfire Of The Vanities.
• In 1488, Savonarola was missing his pinky finger, although the reason for this is 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 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 AC).

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.