An alliance among the city-states Milan, Naples, Florence
MILANO Ludovico Sforza Sforza Castle
NAPLES Also known as “The Kingdom,” Naples was the only city-state with a king They had close ties to the papal states
The Papal States The Pope was both political and spiritual leader Popes are elected for life by a group of Cardinals – “Babylonian Captivity” – Popes lived in Avignon, France
FLORENCE The Duomo
Leaders of Florence – The Medicis Lorenzo de Medici (d. 1492) COSIMO de MEDICI – seized control 1434 THE MEDICI WERE DRIVEN OUT OF POWER IN 1494
Girolamo Savonarola He’s executed May 1498
Niccolo Machiavelli
VENICE
King Charles VIII of France invades and takes over Naples Encouraged by Milanese leader’s invitation
King Charles VIII of France
Ferdinand of Aragon formed this alliance with Venice, the Papal States, and the Habsburg Emperor Maxmilian I They force Charles VIII to retreat
King Ferdinand (KNEELING ON LEFT) Emperor Maximilian I
This painting, titled “Madonna of the Victory” commemorates the alliance’s win over Charles VIII in 1495
French King Louis XII allies himself with Borgia Pope Alexander VI and successfully invades Milan and takes part of Naples The pope’s son Cesare Borgia takes Romagna
FRENCH KING LOUIS XII
POPE ALEXANDER VI
Detail from the fresco "Adoration of the Magi" painted on the walls of the Borgia Apartments in the Vatican. The Virgin and Child, according to common belief, were posed for by Julia Farnese and her baby of which Pope Alexander VI was the acknowledged father.
Pope Julius II (a.k.a. The Warrior Pope) forms an alliance with Ferdinand of Aragon, Emperor Maximilian, and the Swiss They’re able to force a French retreat
(A.K.A. The Warrior Pope)
French King Francis I goes on the offensive
KING FRANCIS I
King Francis I and King Charles I of Spain (Emperor Charles V) renew hostilities in 1521
Emperor Charles V
1525 – Battle of Pavia – the French are defeated by Emperor Charles V’s troops and the French king is held for ransom 1527 – Emperor Charles V has Rome sacked and – two more failed French wars 1556 – Spain is the dominant power, France has been defeated
BATTLE OF PAVIA
Confusion in Italy Drain on resources The Spread of the Renaissance and decline of the Italian Renaissance Italian city-states were largely dependent on Charles V
Why are these wars significant? What can we learn about Italy and Europe at this time? What is the role of religion? How important were the kings involved?