Step inside Renaissance Florence's tumultuous political and religious landscape, as we unravel Girolamo Savonarola's meteoric rise and dramatic clash with Pope Alexander VI. This episode peels back the layers of Savonarola's profound influence, and the seismic public opinion shifts leading to his eventual downfall. As we chart the enigmatic friar's journey, we dissect his distinctive preaching style—a blend of fiery rhetoric and philosophical depth that captured the hearts of Florence and the keen mind of Niccolò Machiavelli.

We navigate the contentious Florentine politics that provided a backdrop for Savonarola's opposition and controversy. Discover what it meant to be a 'piagnoni'—a follower of Savonarola—and how this group, named with mockery, wore it as a badge of honor. We dissect the pivotal roles of figures such as Francesco Valori, Bernardo del Nero, and the Medici family's ill-fated Piero, offering a vivid portrayal of a city grappling with internal divisions and external pressures. This chapter of history comes alive with tales of papal excommunications, treason, and the fraught political chess game inside Florence's government. By joining us on this episode, you'll experience the intricate dynamics of faith, power, and ambition that forever altered the course of a city and its people.

Resources:
Scourge and Fire: Savonarola and Renaissance Florence by Lauro Martines
Map of Italy 1494
Map of Florence

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Intro Music: Hayden Symphony #39
Outro Music: Vivaldi Concerto for Mandolin and Strings in D

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