Papacy: Difference between revisions
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|notable = [[Sixtus IV|Francesco della Rovere]]<br>[[Rodrigo Borgia]]<br>[[Julius II|Giuliano della Rovere]] | |notable = [[Sixtus IV|Francesco della Rovere]]<br>[[Rodrigo Borgia]]<br>[[Julius II|Giuliano della Rovere]] | ||
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The '''Papacy''' (also known as the '''Bishopric of Rome''') | The '''Papacy''' (also known as the '''Bishopric of Rome''') is the office of the Pope. The Pope is considered the head of the Catholic Church in spiritual matters, and issues letters and Papal Bulls to mediate crises or theological arguments. | ||
For centuries, the Papacy possessed the power to order military conquests, the most significant of which were the [[Third Crusade|Crusades]] during the Middle Ages. In succeeding generations, the Papacy's temporal power and influence grew with the spread of Catholicism. During the [[Renaissance]], the Papacy ruled large portions of central [[Italy]], with its capital in [[Rome]]. The Pope was also nominally in control of the assets of the Church. However, the management of the Church's income was left to the cardinals. The Papacy was also protected by [[Papal Guard|personal guards]], also known as the Swiss Guard. Though the Pope is no longer considered the head of state of Italy, he is still recognized as a major figure in world politics and affairs. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
[[File:Staff_Eden.png|thumb|left|170px|The Papal Staff, a piece of Eden.]] | [[File:Staff_Eden.png|thumb|left|170px|The Papal Staff, a piece of Eden.]] | ||
The Pope, in early times, was a mediator between the growing factions of the Church, deciding on temporal and spiritual disputes. The leaders of the Church during that time took on the title of the Bishop of Rome. | The Pope, in early times, was a mediator between the growing factions of the Church, deciding on temporal and spiritual disputes. The leaders of the Church during that time took on the title of the Bishop of Rome. These early popes guided the people in proper doctrine and helped persecuted Christians hide from their oppressors. However, with the Edict of Milan in 313, Christianity came out of the underground, became officially sanctioned and spread across the far-flung territories of the {{Wiki|Roman Empire}}. When the Church split into East and West in 1054, the Pope lost influence in the East, but gained far more political influence in the West. | ||
The original [[The Staff|Papal Staff]], once carried by Saint Peter, was in fact a [[Piece of Eden]]. It was passed down from Pope to Pope, until December 1499, when it was [[Confrontation in the Vatican|taken]] from Pope [[Rodrigo Borgia|Alexander VI]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> | The original [[The Staff|Papal Staff]], once carried by Saint Peter, was in fact a [[Piece of Eden]]. It was passed down from Pope to Pope, until December 1499, when it was [[Confrontation in the Vatican|taken]] from Pope [[Rodrigo Borgia|Alexander VI]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> | ||
===The Crusades=== | ===The Crusades=== | ||
With | With autonomy in 380, succeeding popes became increasingly powerful. Outpourings of religious piety were common due to the professed ideals of knighthood, and consequently the Church found itself with a large army of devout warriors at its disposal. At the end of the 11th century, the Papacy effectively utilized this army by declaring a crusade to take back the Holy Land from the Muslims. This First Crusade was successful in capturing [[Jerusalem]] and other vital cities in the Levant, and it was followed up by the Second Crusade as a response to the fall of the Crusader city of Edessa. The failure of the Second Crusade led to a temporary peace, until [[Saladin]] conquered Jerusalem. In response, Pope Gregory VIII called for a [[Third Crusade]], the objective of which was to reclaim Jerusalem and [[Solomon's Temple]]. The [[Templars]] (known as the Knights Templar at that time), actively participated in this Crusade, though only for their own personal gain, found [[Second Apple|the Apple]] hidden in Solomon's Temple, and attempted to destroy the [[Assassins Order]]. The Assassins sought to counter their efforts, and [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] was able to prevent the Templars from gaining possession of the Apple. He successfuly kept [[Robert de Sable]] and his Templar followers from creating a union between [[Richard I of England|King Richard]] and [[Saladin]], to begin a war against the Assassin Order.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref> | ||
After the Crusades, Pope [[Clement V]] was manipulated by King [[Philip le Bel|Philip IV]] of [[France]] - who in turn had been coerced by the [[French Assassins]] - | After the Crusades, Pope [[Clement V]] was manipulated by King [[Philip le Bel|Philip IV]] of [[France]] - who in turn had been coerced by the [[French Assassins]] - to disband the Knights Templar on charges of heresy.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' - [[Abstergo Files]]</ref> | ||
===Renaissance=== | ===Renaissance=== | ||
The Papacy, even after the failure of the Crusades, continued to maintain | The Papacy, even after the failure of the Crusades, continued to maintain its power during the Renaissance. They sponsored lavish constructions and works of religious art as patrons of artists such as [[Leonardo da Vinci]], [[Michelangelo]] and [[Raphael]]. | ||
[[File:Screen_shot_3.1.png|left|thumb|250px|Saint Peter's Basilica]] | [[File:Screen_shot_3.1.png|left|thumb|250px|Saint Peter's Basilica]] | ||
In 1471, [[Sixtus IV]] ascended to the position of Pope, and continued the work of his predecessors, but also practiced nepotism, | In 1471, [[Sixtus IV]] ascended to the position of Pope, and continued the work of his predecessors, but he also practiced nepotism, and appointed four nephews, one of which was Giuliano della Rovere (the future Pope [[Julius II]]) to powerful positions in the Church. Sixtus is best known for his involvement in and support of the [[Pazzi Conspiracy]] to assassinate [[Giuliano de' Medici]] and [[Lorenzo de' Medici]]. On his death, two candidates presented themselves: Rodrigo Borgia and Giuliano della Rovere. The [[cardinal]]s, who were alleged to have been brought by Rodrigo, nominated him to be Pope, and he took the name of Alexander VI. | ||
As Pope, Rodrigo gained access to the Papal Staff, a [[Pieces of Eden|Piece of Eden]]. With it, he learned the location of the [[Vatican Vault|Vault]], | As Pope, Rodrigo gained access to the Papal Staff, a [[Pieces of Eden|Piece of Eden]]. With it, he learned the location of the [[Vatican Vault|Vault]], underneath the [[Sistine Chapel]]. However, the Assassin [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]] was able to prevent him from entering, and went in himself, where he received the message from [[Minerva]]. Upon exiting the Vault, Rodrigo had vanished, though the Staff was still there. Though Ezio tried to lift it out of the floor, the Staff disappeared into the ground, and only resurfaced years later as the sceptre of the [[Russia|Russian]] Tsars.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]''</ref> Ezio, along with his uncle [[Mario Auditore]], then left the building and returned to [[Monteriggioni]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed II"/> | ||
[[File:Poestaff.jpg|thumb|Alexander VI in papal robes]] | [[File:Poestaff.jpg|thumb|Alexander VI in papal robes]] | ||
Alexander VI too made several nepotistic appointments, including making his own son, [[Cesare Borgia]], a cardinal, though Cesare quit to continue the bloodline after [[Juan Borgia the Younger|his brother]] died and to become the [[Wikipedia:Captain General of the Church|Captain-General of the Papal Armies]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref> Rodrigo and Cesare ordered the closure of many [[merchants]] and stables, and allowed the condition of many Roman landmarks to deteriorate. They also took choice areas of land and built [[Borgia towers]] to terrorize the populace and ensure their control of Rome. Cesare also undertook several military conquests in the name of his father, the most important of which, was the [[Siege of Monteriggioni]], where Cesare stole the Apple from Mario Auditore before killing him, then invited Ezio to follow him to Rome. Cesare, through his father's influence, forced Leonardo da Vinci to design [[War Machines|war machines]] for the Borgia cause.<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood"/> However, after Rodrigo's death at his own son's hands, Giuliano della Rovere was elected to the Papacy, and took the name Julius II. He ordered the arrest of Cesare, who was incarcerated at the [[Castel Sant'Angelo]] and later, the [[Castillo de la Mota]] in [[Spain]].<ref name="Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel">[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]</ref> Julius and his successor [[Leo X]] both supported the Assassins.<ref>[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' novel]]</ref> | |||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
Revision as of 00:34, 31 May 2012
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Ezio, my friend! How may I be of service? This article is in desperate need of a revamp. Please improve it in any way necessary in order for it to achieve a higher standard of quality in accordance with our Manual of Style. |
The Papacy (also known as the Bishopric of Rome) is the office of the Pope. The Pope is considered the head of the Catholic Church in spiritual matters, and issues letters and Papal Bulls to mediate crises or theological arguments.
For centuries, the Papacy possessed the power to order military conquests, the most significant of which were the Crusades during the Middle Ages. In succeeding generations, the Papacy's temporal power and influence grew with the spread of Catholicism. During the Renaissance, the Papacy ruled large portions of central Italy, with its capital in Rome. The Pope was also nominally in control of the assets of the Church. However, the management of the Church's income was left to the cardinals. The Papacy was also protected by personal guards, also known as the Swiss Guard. Though the Pope is no longer considered the head of state of Italy, he is still recognized as a major figure in world politics and affairs.
History
The Pope, in early times, was a mediator between the growing factions of the Church, deciding on temporal and spiritual disputes. The leaders of the Church during that time took on the title of the Bishop of Rome. These early popes guided the people in proper doctrine and helped persecuted Christians hide from their oppressors. However, with the Edict of Milan in 313, Christianity came out of the underground, became officially sanctioned and spread across the far-flung territories of the Roman Empire. When the Church split into East and West in 1054, the Pope lost influence in the East, but gained far more political influence in the West.
The original Papal Staff, once carried by Saint Peter, was in fact a Piece of Eden. It was passed down from Pope to Pope, until December 1499, when it was taken from Pope Alexander VI.[1]
The Crusades
With autonomy in 380, succeeding popes became increasingly powerful. Outpourings of religious piety were common due to the professed ideals of knighthood, and consequently the Church found itself with a large army of devout warriors at its disposal. At the end of the 11th century, the Papacy effectively utilized this army by declaring a crusade to take back the Holy Land from the Muslims. This First Crusade was successful in capturing Jerusalem and other vital cities in the Levant, and it was followed up by the Second Crusade as a response to the fall of the Crusader city of Edessa. The failure of the Second Crusade led to a temporary peace, until Saladin conquered Jerusalem. In response, Pope Gregory VIII called for a Third Crusade, the objective of which was to reclaim Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple. The Templars (known as the Knights Templar at that time), actively participated in this Crusade, though only for their own personal gain, found the Apple hidden in Solomon's Temple, and attempted to destroy the Assassins Order. The Assassins sought to counter their efforts, and Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad was able to prevent the Templars from gaining possession of the Apple. He successfuly kept Robert de Sable and his Templar followers from creating a union between King Richard and Saladin, to begin a war against the Assassin Order.[2]
After the Crusades, Pope Clement V was manipulated by King Philip IV of France - who in turn had been coerced by the French Assassins - to disband the Knights Templar on charges of heresy.[3]
Renaissance
The Papacy, even after the failure of the Crusades, continued to maintain its power during the Renaissance. They sponsored lavish constructions and works of religious art as patrons of artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael.
In 1471, Sixtus IV ascended to the position of Pope, and continued the work of his predecessors, but he also practiced nepotism, and appointed four nephews, one of which was Giuliano della Rovere (the future Pope Julius II) to powerful positions in the Church. Sixtus is best known for his involvement in and support of the Pazzi Conspiracy to assassinate Giuliano de' Medici and Lorenzo de' Medici. On his death, two candidates presented themselves: Rodrigo Borgia and Giuliano della Rovere. The cardinals, who were alleged to have been brought by Rodrigo, nominated him to be Pope, and he took the name of Alexander VI. As Pope, Rodrigo gained access to the Papal Staff, a Piece of Eden. With it, he learned the location of the Vault, underneath the Sistine Chapel. However, the Assassin Ezio Auditore was able to prevent him from entering, and went in himself, where he received the message from Minerva. Upon exiting the Vault, Rodrigo had vanished, though the Staff was still there. Though Ezio tried to lift it out of the floor, the Staff disappeared into the ground, and only resurfaced years later as the sceptre of the Russian Tsars.[4] Ezio, along with his uncle Mario Auditore, then left the building and returned to Monteriggioni.[1]
Alexander VI too made several nepotistic appointments, including making his own son, Cesare Borgia, a cardinal, though Cesare quit to continue the bloodline after his brother died and to become the Captain-General of the Papal Armies.[5] Rodrigo and Cesare ordered the closure of many merchants and stables, and allowed the condition of many Roman landmarks to deteriorate. They also took choice areas of land and built Borgia towers to terrorize the populace and ensure their control of Rome. Cesare also undertook several military conquests in the name of his father, the most important of which, was the Siege of Monteriggioni, where Cesare stole the Apple from Mario Auditore before killing him, then invited Ezio to follow him to Rome. Cesare, through his father's influence, forced Leonardo da Vinci to design war machines for the Borgia cause.[5] However, after Rodrigo's death at his own son's hands, Giuliano della Rovere was elected to the Papacy, and took the name Julius II. He ordered the arrest of Cesare, who was incarcerated at the Castel Sant'Angelo and later, the Castillo de la Mota in Spain.[6] Julius and his successor Leo X both supported the Assassins.[7]
Trivia
- The Pope has traditionally been the target of conspiracy theories, including the rumored presence of a passage on the Tiara that corresponds to the number 666, as well as a female Pope who gave birth in a Papal procession.
References
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