Pope Julius II

Reign as pope

From the beginning Julius II set himself with a courage and determination rarely equalled to rid himself of the various powers under which his temporal authority was almost overwhelmed. By a series of complicated stratagems he first succeeded in rendering it impossible for Borgia to remain in the papal states. He then used his influence to reconcile the two powerful houses of Orsini and Colonna, and, by decrees made in their interest, he also attached to himself the remainder of the Roman nobility. Being thus secure in Rome and the surrounding country, he next set himself to oust the Venetians from Faenza, Rimini, and the other towns and fortresses of Italy which they occupied at the death of Alexander VI. Finding it impossible to succeed with the doge by remonstrance, he in 1504 brought about a union of the conflicting interests of France and Germany, and sacrificed temporarily to some extent the independence of Italy in order to conclude with them an offensive and defensive alliance against Venice. The combination was, however, at first little more than nominal, and was not immediately effective in compelling the Venetians to deliver up more than a few unimportant places in the Romagna; but by a brilliant campaign Julius in 1506 succeeded in freeing Perugia and Bologna from their despots (Giampolo Baglioni and Giovanni II Bentivoglio, respectively), and raised himself to such a height of influence as to render his friendship of prime importance both to the king of France and the emperor.

Related Topics:
Papal states - Orsini - Colonna - Faenza - Rimini - Alexander VI - Doge - 1504 - Germany - Romagna - 1506 - Perugia - Bologna - Giovanni II Bentivoglio

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Given these political struggles during his papacy, it is no surprise that it is during Julius II's papacy that the Swiss Guard was founded, in order to provide a constant core of soldiers to protect the pope. The official founding date is given as January 21, 1506.

Related Topics:
Swiss Guard - January 21 - 1506

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Events so favoured his plans that in 1508 he was able to conclude with Louis XII, the Emperor Maximilian, and Ferdinand II of Aragon, the famous League of Cambrai against the Venetian Republic. In the spring of the following year, the Republic was placed under an interdict. The results of the league soon outstripped the primary intention of Julius. By the single Battle of Agnadello the dominion of Venice in Italy was practically lost; but, as neither the king of France nor the emperor was satisfied with merely effecting the purposes of the pope, the latter found it necessary to enter into a combination with the Venetians to defend himself from those who immediately before had been his allies against them. The Venetians on making humble submission were absolved in the beginning of 1510, and shortly afterwards France was placed under the papal ban. Attempts to bring about a rupture between France and England proved unsuccessful; on the other hand, at a synod convened by Louis at Tours in September 1510 the French bishops withdrew from the papal obedience, and resolved, with Maximilian's cooperation, to seek the deposition of Julius. In November 1511 a council actually met for this object at Pisa.

Related Topics:
1508 - Louis XII - Emperor Maximilian - Ferdinand II of Aragon - League of Cambrai - Interdict - Battle of Agnadello - 1510 - England - Synod - Tours - 1511 - Pisa

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Julius hereupon entered into the Holy League with Ferdinand II of Aragon and the Venetians against France, in which both Henry VIII and the emperor ultimately joined. He also convened a general council (that afterwards was known as the Fifth Council of the Lateran) to be held at Rome in 1512, which, according to an oath taken on his election, he had bound himself to summon, but which had been delayed, he affirmed, on account of the occupation of Italy by his enemies. In 1512 the French were driven across the Alps, but it was at the cost of the occupation of Italy by the other powers, and Julius, though he had securely established the papal authority in the states immediately around Rome, was practically as far as ever from realizing his dream of an independent Italian kingdom when he died of fever in February 1513 and was buried at the basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli.

Related Topics:
Holy League - Henry VIII - Fifth Council of the Lateran - 1512 - Alps - 1513 - San Pietro in Vincoli

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The abilities and ambition of Julius were regal and military rather than in any sense ecclesiastical. He was more concerned for his own personal fame as a member of the family of della Rovere than for the advancement of the influence and authority of the Church. His dauntless spirit, his mastery of political stratagem, and his moral indifference in the choice of means rendered him the most prominent political figure of his time. While, however, his political and warlike achievements would alone entitle him to rank amongst the most remarkable of the occupants of the papal chair, his chief title to honour is to be found in his patronage of art and literature. He did much to improve and beautify the city; in 1506 he laid the foundation stone of the new St. Peter's; and he was the friend and patron of Bramante, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel for Julius. Julius was succeeded by Leo X.

Related Topics:
1506 - St. Peter's - Bramante - Raphael - Michelangelo - Sistine Chapel - Leo X

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While no firm evidence exists, it is thought that the card game Pope Julius is named after him.

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