Renaissance And Papacy Research Paper

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Renaissance and the Papacy

The Renaissance period was a cultural and intellectual movement that among the elite. The Papacy played a major part in the politics, art and the overall development of the city-states during the Renaissance. While the Papacy was the home of the Holy Roman Empire, behind the scenes showed examples of dirty politics being played with special attention to Pope Alexander XI and his son Cesar Borgia. The Renaissance Papacy also had great influence in the background with the development of a new form of art, architecture, and literature; the Renaissance was rich in culture. The Catholic Church was the staple for the Renaissance period, bringing in art, politics and upholding tradition through out the change that was …show more content…

Although known as one of the most corrupt popes, with having used large sums of money on bribery in order to get himself elected, he was also one of the Renaissance’s most brilliant leaders, helping to divide the New World for Portugal, Spain. After election, Alexander VI made is sixteen year old illegitimate son, Cesare Borgia Archbishop of Valencia. Alexander VI used the great ideas and writings of Niccolo Machiavelli, using the political war tactics to help him achieve unity within France. Alexander VI son, Cesar Borgia became the role model for Machiavelli, and with the help of his father he was able to bring a huge turning point in Renaissance politics by stepping down as Archbishop. Cesar was considered a cruel and left a blood trail in his wake, but through his cruel tactics he was able to reconcile Romagna, unified it and helped to restore it back to peace and loyalty. Through all of this he portrayed everything that Machiavelli had proposed needed to happen in order for a Prince to truly succeed. Although it is contradictory since Machiavelli states that for a Prince to succeed in the Renaissance time or beyond he must avoid things that will make him hated or contemptible. Machiavelli states that it is wise for a Prince to keep he enemies closer in a way to help ensure better standing with his people and in order to accomplish what he is set out to. Although Borgia was hated and considered cruel, he was loyal. Through the years of the Papacy during the Renaissance infidelity, bribery and war have played along with the politics of the church. Alexander XI helped his son take over and reunite Romagna but it was with a trailed of deceit, for even as Pope Alexander was the master of tricking men into what he wanted and asserting his power for what he believed to be for the greater good. The

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