The many lives of an "extreme" pope: Boniface VIII and power

SERIES: Figures of history in the Rome of the past 
SPEAKER: Massimo Vallerani, full professor of medieval history, University of Turin
DATE: Thursday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m. 

Benedetto Caetani (1235-1303) elected pope as Boniface VIII in 1294, is an "extreme" historical figure. Everything in his intense life as pontiff was taken to the limits: his election as pope, which took place after the dramatic 'resignation' of Celestine V; the fierce war against enemy families, persecuted as heretics by the papal inquisition; the exaltation of his own image, reproduced in numerous statues; the vindication of papal superiority over secular power; the defense of the Church's autonomy against the interference of the king of France; even his posthumous memory, tainted by a very long trial that saw him accused as an unbelieving heretic, a follower of the devil. A puzzle of conflicting images that is extremely difficult to piece together. A perfect metaphor for power.    

Massimo Vallerani (Rome 1961) teaches medieval history in Turin. He has conducted research on public judicial systems, forms of power in communal societies, and citizenship between the 13th and 14th centuries. Together with Luigi Provero he is author of Medieval History, Le Monnier 2021 (2 ed). He is a member of the editorship of "Quaderni storici." He is editor of the review magazine "L'Indice dei libri del mese". 

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