Prophetic Rome in the High Renaissance Period

The dimension of prophecy has been largely missed, both in general political studies of Renaissance Rome and in studies of its art and culture at this time. During the last two or three decades, however, a number of scholars have been at work on a wide range of prophetic material, largely in unpublished sources. Their work has been scattered in specialist studies and journals. In bringing together studies by a group of key scholars in the field, a new light is thrown on the...
More Description

The dimension of prophecy has been largely missed, both in general political studies of Renaissance Rome and in studies of its art and culture at this time. During the last two or three decades, however, a number of scholars have been at work on a wide range of prophetic material, largely in unpublished sources. Their work has been scattered in specialist studies and journals. In bringing together studies by a group of key scholars in the field, a new light is thrown on the perspectives and expectations of certain Renaissance Popes (particularly Julius II, Leo X, and Clement VII), of members of the Curia, and of other leading figures of the time. Political, cultural, and artistic strands interweave around the prophetic themes in a manner which creates a distinctive ambience in the Rome of the pre-Counter Reformation.