--- title: Rome — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 2 description: Wikipedia's «Rome», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Rome is the capital city and most populated comune (municipality) of Italy. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Rome/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Rome # Rome · page 2 From Wikipedia, [«Rome»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Rome/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Rome/page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Rome/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Rome/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Rome/page/6/) After the end of the [Severan dynasty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severan_dynasty) in AD 235, the Empire entered into a 50-year period known as the [Crisis of the Third Century](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crisis_of_the_Third_Century), during which numerous generals fought for power and the central authority in Rome weakened dramatically.[81](../../81/ "tree and pragmatics") Around the same time, the [Plague of Cyprian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_of_Cyprian) (c. 250–270) afflicted the Mediterranean.[\[49\]](../../page/6/#ref-49 "note 49")[82](../../82/ "tree and pragmatics") Instability caused economic deterioration, and there was a rapid rise in inflation as the government debased the currency in order to meet expenses.[83](../../83/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Germanic tribes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_tribes) along the Rhine and north of the Balkans made serious uncoordinated incursions that were more like giant raiding parties rather than attempts to settle.[84](../../84/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Persian Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasanian_Empire) invaded from the east several times during the 230s to 260s but were eventually defeated.[\[50\]](../../page/6/#ref-50 "note 50")[85](../../85/ "tree and pragmatics") The civil wars ended in 285 with the final victory of [Diocletian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocletian), who undertook the restoration of the State.[86](../../86/ "tree and pragmatics") He ended the [Principate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principate) and introduced a new authoritarian model known as the [Dominate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominate), derived from his title of dominus ("lord").[87](../../87/ "tree and pragmatics") His most marked feature was the unprecedented intervention of the State down to the city level: whereas the State had submitted a tax demand to a city and allowed it to allocate the charges, from his reign the State did this down to the village level.[88](../../88/ "tree and pragmatics") In a vain attempt to control inflation, he imposed [price controls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_controls) which did not last.[89](../../89/ "tree and pragmatics") Diocletian divided the empire in 286, ruling over the eastern half from [Nicomedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicomedia), while his co-emperor [Maximian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximian) ruled the western half from [Mediolanum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediolanum) (when not on the move).[\[50\]](../../page/6/#ref-50 "note 50")[90](../../90/ "tree and pragmatics") The empire was further divided in 293, when Diocletian named two [caesar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesar_%28title%29), one for each [augustus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_%28title%29) (emperor).[91](../../91/ "tree and pragmatics") Diocletian tried to turn into a system of non-dynastic succession, similar to the Antonine dynasty.[92](../../92/ "tree and pragmatics") Upon abdication in 305, both caesars succeeded and they, in turn, appointed two colleagues for themselves.[\[50\]](../../page/6/#ref-50 "note 50")[93](../../93/ "tree and pragmatics") However, a [series of civil wars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_wars_of_the_Tetrarchy) between rival claimants to power resulted in the unification of the empire under [Constantine the Great](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_the_Great) in 324.[94](../../94/ "tree and pragmatics") Hereditary succession was restored, but the east–west division was maintained.[95](../../95/ "tree and pragmatics") Constantine undertook a major reform of the bureaucracy, not by changing the structure but by rationalising the competencies of the several ministries.[96](../../96/ "tree and pragmatics") The so-called [Edict of Milan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edict_of_Milan) of 313, actually a fragment of a letter from his co-emperor [Licinius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licinius) to the governors of the eastern provinces, granted freedom of worship to everyone, including Christians, and ordered the restoration of confiscated church properties upon petition to the newly created vicars of dioceses.[97](../../97/ "tree and pragmatics") He funded the building of several churches and allowed clergy to act as arbitrators in civil suits (a measure that did not outlast him but which was restored in part much later).[98](../../98/ "tree and pragmatics") In 330, he transformed [Byzantium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantium) into [Constantinople](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantinople), which became his new capital.[99](../../99/ "tree and pragmatics") However, it was not officially anything more than an imperial residence like [Mediolanum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediolanum), [Augusta Treverorum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusta_Treverorum), or [Nicomedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicomedia) until given a city prefect in 359 by [Constantius II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantius_II).[\[51\]](../../page/6/#ref-51 "note 51")[100](../../100/ "tree and pragmatics") Constantine, following Diocletian's reforms, regionalised the administration, which fundamentally changed the way it was governed by creating regional dioceses.[101](../../101/ "tree and pragmatics") The existence of regional fiscal units from 286 served as the model for this unprecedented innovation.[\[52\]](../../page/6/#ref-52 "note 52")[102](../../102/ "tree and pragmatics") The emperor quickened the process of removing military command from governors.[103](../../103/ "tree and pragmatics") Henceforth, civilian administration and military command would be separate.[104](../../104/ "tree and pragmatics") He gave governors more fiscal duties and placed them in charge of the army logistical support system as an attempt to control it by removing the support system from its control.[105](../../105/ "tree and pragmatics") Christianity in the form of the Nicene Creed became the official religion of the empire in 380, via the [Edict of Thessalonica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edict_of_Thessalonica) issued in the name of three emperors – Gratian, Valentinian II, and [Theodosius I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodosius_I) – with Theodosius clearly the driving force behind it.[106](../../106/ "tree and pragmatics") He was the last emperor of a unified empire: after his death in 395, his young children, [Honorius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorius_%28emperor%29) and [Arcadius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcadius), inherited the [western](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Roman_Empire) and [eastern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Roman_Empire) empires respectively.[107](../../107/ "tree and pragmatics") The seat of government in the Western Roman Empire was transferred to [Ravenna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravenna) in 408, but from 450 the emperors mostly resided in Rome.[\[53\]](../../page/6/#ref-53 "note 53")[108](../../108/ "tree and pragmatics") Rome, which had lost its central role in the administration of the empire, [was sacked in 410](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sack_of_Rome_%28410%29) by the [Visigoths](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visigoths) led by [Alaric I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaric_I),[\[54\]](../../page/6/#ref-54 "note 54") but very little physical damage was done, most of which was repaired.[109](../../109/ "tree and pragmatics") What could not be so easily replaced were portable items such as artwork in precious metals and items for domestic use (loot).[110](../../110/ "tree and pragmatics") The popes embellished the city with large basilicas, such as [Santa Maria Maggiore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_Maggiore) (with the collaboration of the emperors).[111](../../111/ "tree and pragmatics") The population of the city had fallen from 800,000 to 450–500,000 by the time the city was sacked in 455 by [Genseric](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genseric), king of the [Vandals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandals).[\[55\]](../../page/6/#ref-55 "note 55")[112](../../112/ "tree and pragmatics") The weak emperors of the fifth century could not stop the decay, leading to the deposition of [Romulus Augustus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romulus_Augustus), who resided on Ravenna, on 4 September 476.[113](../../113/ "tree and pragmatics") This marked the end of the [Western Roman Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Roman_Empire) and, for many historians, the beginning of the [Middle Ages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages).[\[51\]](../../page/6/#ref-51 "note 51")[114](../../114/ "tree and pragmatics") The decline of the city's population was caused by the loss of grain shipments from North Africa, from 440 onward, and the unwillingness of the senatorial class to maintain donations to support a population that was too large for the resources available.[115](../../115/ "tree and pragmatics") Even so, strenuous efforts were made to maintain the monumental centre, the Palatine, and the imperial baths, which continued to function until the Gothic siege of 537.[116](../../116/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Baths of Constantine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baths_of_Constantine_%28Rome%29) on the [Quirinal Hill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quirinal_Hill) were even repaired in 443, and the extent of the damage exaggerated and dramatised.[\[56\]](../../page/6/#ref-56 "note 56")[117](../../117/ "tree and pragmatics") However, the city gave an appearance overall of shabbiness and decay because of the large abandoned areas due to population decline.[118](../../118/ "tree and pragmatics") The population declined to 500,000 by 452 and 100,000 by AD 500 (perhaps larger, though no certain figure can be known).[119](../../119/ "tree and pragmatics") After the Gothic siege of 537, the population dropped to 30,000 but had risen to 90,000 by the papacy of [Gregory the Great](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_I).[\[57\]](../../page/6/#ref-57 "note 57")[120](../../120/ "tree and pragmatics") The population decline coincided with the general collapse of urban life in the West in the fifth and sixth centuries, with few exceptions.[121](../../121/ "tree and pragmatics") Subsidized state grain distributions to the poorer members of society continued right through the sixth century and probably prevented the population from falling further.[\[58\]](../../page/6/#ref-58 "note 58")[122](../../122/ "tree and pragmatics") The figure of 450,000–500,000 is based on the amount of pork, 3,629,000 lbs. distributed to poorer Romans during five winter months at the rate of five Roman lbs per person per month, enough for 145,000 persons or 1/4 or 1/3 of the total population.[\[59\]](../../page/6/#ref-59 "note 59")[123](../../123/ "tree and pragmatics") Grain distribution to 80,000 ticket holders at the same time suggests 400,000 (Augustus set the number at 200,000 or one-fifth of the population).[124](../../124/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Middle Ages Further information: [Fall of the Western Roman Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_the_Western_Roman_Empire) After the [fall of the Western Roman Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_of_the_Roman_Empire) in AD 476, Rome was first under the control of [Odoacer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odoacer) and then became part of the [Ostrogothic Kingdom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostrogothic_Kingdom) before returning to [East Roman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire) control after the [Gothic War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_War_%28535–554%29), which devastated the city [in 546](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sack_of_Rome_%28546%29) and [550](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Rome_%28549–550%29).[125](../../125/ "tree and pragmatics") Its population declined from more than a million in AD 210 to 500,000 in AD 273[\[60\]](../../page/6/#ref-60 "note 60") to 35,000 after the Gothic War (535–554),[\[61\]](../../page/6/#ref-61 "note 61") reducing the sprawling city to groups of inhabited buildings interspersed among large areas of ruins, vegetation, vineyards and market gardens.[\[62\]](../../page/6/#ref-62 "note 62")[126](../../126/ "tree and pragmatics") It is generally thought the population of the city until AD 300 was 1 million (estimates range from 2 million to 750,000) declining to 750–800,000 in AD 400, then 450–500,000 in AD 450 and down to 80–100,000 in AD 500 (though it may have been twice this).[\[63\]](../../page/6/#ref-63 "note 63")[127](../../127/ "tree and pragmatics") The Bishop of Rome, called the [Pope](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope), was important since the early days of Christianity because of the martyrdom of both the apostles [Peter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Peter) and [Paul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_of_Tarsus) there.[128](../../128/ "tree and pragmatics") The Bishops of Rome were also seen (and still are seen by Catholics) as the successors of Peter, who is considered the first Bishop of Rome.[129](../../129/ "tree and pragmatics") The city thus became of increasing importance as the centre of the [Catholic Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church).[130](../../130/ "tree and pragmatics") After the [Lombard invasion of Italy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lombard_invasion_of_Italy#Invasion_and_conquest_of_the_Italian_peninsula) (569–572), the city remained nominally Byzantine, but in reality, the popes pursued a policy of equilibrium between the [Byzantines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire), the [Franks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franks), and the [Lombards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lombards).[\[64\]](../../page/6/#ref-64 "note 64")[131](../../131/ "tree and pragmatics") In 729, the Lombard king [Liutprand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liutprand,_King_of_the_Lombards) donated the north Latium town of [Sutri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutri) to the Church, starting its [temporal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporalities) power.[\[64\]](../../page/6/#ref-64 "note 64")[132](../../132/ "tree and pragmatics") In 756, [Pepin the Short](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepin_the_Short), after having defeated the Lombards, gave the Pope temporal jurisdiction over the [Duchy of Rome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duchy_of_Rome) and the [Exarchate of Ravenna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exarchate_of_Ravenna), thus creating the [Papal States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_States).[\[64\]](../../page/6/#ref-64 "note 64")[133](../../133/ "tree and pragmatics") Since this period, three powers tried to rule the city: the pope, the nobility (together with the chiefs of militias, the judges, the Senate and the populace), and the Frankish king, as king of the Lombards, patricius, and [Emperor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roman_Emperor).[\[64\]](../../page/6/#ref-64 "note 64")[134](../../134/ "tree and pragmatics") These three parties (theocratic, republican, and imperial) were a characteristic of Roman life during the entire Middle Ages.[\[64\]](../../page/6/#ref-64 "note 64")[135](../../135/ "tree and pragmatics") On Christmas night of 800, Charlemagne was crowned in Rome as Emperor by [Pope Leo III](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Leo_III): on that occasion, the city hosted for the first time the two powers whose struggle for control was to be a constant of the Middle Ages.[\[64\]](../../page/6/#ref-64 "note 64")[136](../../136/ "tree and pragmatics") This event marks the beginning of the [Carolingian Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolingian_Empire), the first phase of the [Holy Roman Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roman_Empire).[137](../../137/ "tree and pragmatics") In 846, Muslim Arabs [unsuccessfully stormed the city's walls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_raid_against_Rome), but managed to loot [St. Peter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_St._Peter%27s_Basilica)'s and St. Paul's basilica, both outside the city wall.[\[65\]](../../page/6/#ref-65 "note 65")[138](../../138/ "tree and pragmatics") After the decay of [Carolingian power](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolingian_Empire), Rome fell prey to feudal chaos: several noble families fought against the pope, the emperor, and each other.[139](../../139/ "tree and pragmatics") This period saw the rise of figures like [Theodora](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodora_%28senatrix%29) and her daughter [Marozia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marozia), concubines and mothers of several popes, and of [Crescentius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crescentius_the_Younger), a powerful feudal lord, who fought against the Emperors [Otto II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_II) and [Otto III](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_III).[\[66\]](../../page/6/#ref-66 "note 66")[140](../../140/ "tree and pragmatics") The scandals of this period forced the papacy to reform itself: the election of the pope was reserved to the cardinals, and reform of the clergy was attempted.[141](../../141/ "tree and pragmatics") The driving force behind this renewal was the monk [Ildebrando da Soana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ildebrando_da_Soana), who once elected pope under the name of [Gregory VII](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_VII) became involved into the [Investiture Controversy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investiture_Controversy) against Emperor [Henry IV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_IV,_Holy_Roman_Emperor).[\[66\]](../../page/6/#ref-66 "note 66")[142](../../142/ "tree and pragmatics") Subsequently, Rome [was sacked and burned](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sack_of_Rome_%281084%29) by the [Normans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normans) under [Robert Guiscard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Guiscard) who had entered the city in support of the Pope, then besieged in [Castel Sant'Angelo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castel_Sant%27Angelo).[\[66\]](../../page/6/#ref-66 "note 66")[143](../../143/ "tree and pragmatics") During this period, the city was autonomously ruled by a senatore or patrizio.[144](../../144/ "tree and pragmatics") In the 12th century, this administration, like other European cities, evolved into the [commune](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_commune), a new form of social organisation controlled by the new wealthy classes.[\[66\]](../../page/6/#ref-66 "note 66")[145](../../145/ "tree and pragmatics") Pope [Lucius II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucius_II) fought against the Roman commune, and the struggle was continued by his successor [Pope Eugenius III](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Eugenius_III): by this stage, the commune, allied with the aristocracy, was supported by [Arnaldo da Brescia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnaldo_da_Brescia), a monk who was a religious and social reformer.[\[67\]](../../page/6/#ref-67 "note 67")[146](../../146/ "tree and pragmatics") After the pope's death, Arnaldo was taken prisoner by Pope [Adrian IV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Adrian_IV), which marked the end of the commune's autonomy.[\[67\]](../../page/6/#ref-67 "note 67")[147](../../147/ "tree and pragmatics") Under [Pope Innocent III](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Innocent_III), whose reign marked the apogee of the papacy, the commune liquidated the senate, and replaced it with a Senatore, who was subject to the pope.[\[67\]](../../page/6/#ref-67 "note 67")[148](../../148/ "tree and pragmatics") In this period, the papacy played a role of secular importance in [Western Europe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Europe), often acting as arbitrators between Christian [monarchs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch) and exercising additional political powers.[\[68\]](../../page/6/#ref-68 "note 68")[\[69\]](../../page/6/#ref-69 "note 69")[\[70\]](../../page/6/#ref-70 "note 70")[149](../../149/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1266, [Charles of Anjou](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_of_Anjou), who was heading south to fight the [Hohenstaufen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohenstaufen) on behalf of the pope, was appointed Senator.[150](../../150/ "tree and pragmatics") Charles founded the [Sapienza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapienza_University_of_Rome), the university of Rome.[\[67\]](../../page/6/#ref-67 "note 67")[151](../../151/ "tree and pragmatics") In that period the pope died, and the cardinals, summoned in [Viterbo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viterbo), could not agree on his successor.[152](../../152/ "tree and pragmatics") This angered the people of the city, who then unroofed the building where they met and imprisoned them until they had nominated the new pope; this marked the birth of the [conclave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conclave).[\[67\]](../../page/6/#ref-67 "note 67")[153](../../153/ "tree and pragmatics") In this period the city was also shattered by continuous fights between the aristocratic families: [Annibaldi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annibaldi_family), [Caetani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caetani), [Colonna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonna_family), [Orsini](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orsini_family), [Conti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conti_di_Segni), nested in their fortresses built above ancient Roman edifices, fought each other to control the papacy.[\[67\]](../../page/6/#ref-67 "note 67")[154](../../154/ "tree and pragmatics") [Pope Boniface VIII](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Boniface_VIII) of the Caetani family was the last pope to fight for the church's [universal domain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_domain); he proclaimed a crusade against the [Colonna family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonna_family) and, in 1300, called for the first [Jubilee of Christianity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubilee_%28Christianity%29), which brought millions of [pilgrims](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_pilgrimage) to Rome.[\[67\]](../../page/6/#ref-67 "note 67")[155](../../155/ "tree and pragmatics") However, his hopes were crushed by the French king [Philip the Fair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_IV_of_France), who took him prisoner and held him hostage for three days at [Anagni](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anagni).[\[67\]](../../page/6/#ref-67 "note 67")[156](../../156/ "tree and pragmatics") The Pope was able to return to Rome, but died a month later, it was said of shock and grief.[157](../../157/ "tree and pragmatics") Afterwards, a new pope faithful to the French was elected, and the papacy was [briefly relocated](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avignon_papacy) to [Avignon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avignon) (1309–1377).[\[71\]](../../page/6/#ref-71 "note 71")[158](../../158/ "tree and pragmatics") During this period Rome was neglected, until a plebeian man, [Cola di Rienzo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cola_di_Rienzo), came to power.[\[71\]](../../page/6/#ref-71 "note 71")[159](../../159/ "tree and pragmatics") An idealist and a lover of ancient Rome, Cola dreamed about a rebirth of the Roman Empire: after assuming power with the title of [Tribuno](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribune), his reforms were rejected by the populace.[\[71\]](../../page/6/#ref-71 "note 71")[160](../../160/ "tree and pragmatics") Forced to flee, Cola returned as part of the entourage of Cardinal [Albornoz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gil_Álvarez_Carrillo_de_Albornoz), who was charged with restoring the Church's power in Italy.[\[71\]](../../page/6/#ref-71 "note 71")[161](../../161/ "tree and pragmatics") Back in power for a short time, Cola was soon lynched by the populace, and Albornoz took possession of the city.[162](../../162/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1377, Rome became the seat of the papacy again under [Gregory XI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_XI).[\[71\]](../../page/6/#ref-71 "note 71")[163](../../163/ "tree and pragmatics") The return of the pope to Rome in that year unleashed the [Western Schism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Schism) (1377–1418), and for the next forty years, the city was affected by the divisions which rocked the Church.[\[71\]](../../page/6/#ref-71 "note 71")[164](../../164/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Early modern history Main article: [Roman Renaissance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Renaissance) In 1418, the [Council of Constance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Constance) settled the [Western Schism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Schism), and a Roman pope, [Martin V](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_V), was elected.[\[71\]](../../page/6/#ref-71 "note 71")[165](../../165/ "tree and pragmatics") This brought to Rome a century of internal peace, which marked the beginning of the [Renaissance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance).[\[71\]](../../page/6/#ref-71 "note 71")[166](../../166/ "tree and pragmatics") The ruling popes until the first half of the 16th century, from [Nicholas V](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_V), founder of the [Vatican Library](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_Library), to [Pius II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pius_II), humanist and literate, from [Sixtus IV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sixtus_IV), a warrior pope, to [Alexander VI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_VI), immoral and [nepotist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepotism), from [Julius II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_II), soldier and patron, to [Leo X Medici](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_X), who gave his name to this period ("the century of Leo X"), all devoted their energy to the greatness and the beauty of the Eternal City and to the patronage of the arts.[\[71\]](../../page/6/#ref-71 "note 71")[167](../../167/ "tree and pragmatics") During those years, the centre of the [Italian Renaissance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Renaissance) moved to Rome from Florence.[168](../../168/ "tree and pragmatics") Majestic works, as the new [Saint Peter's Basilica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter%27s_Basilica), the [Sistine Chapel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sistine_Chapel) and [Ponte Sisto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_Sisto) (the first bridge to be built across the [Tiber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiber) since antiquity, although on Roman foundations) were created.[169](../../169/ "tree and pragmatics") To accomplish that, the Popes engaged the best artists of the time, including [Michelangelo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo), [Perugino](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pietro_Perugino), [Raphael](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael), [Ghirlandaio](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domenico_Ghirlandaio), [Luca Signorelli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luca_Signorelli), [Botticelli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandro_Botticelli), and [Cosimo Rosselli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosimo_Rosselli).[170](../../170/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Rome/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Rome/page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Rome/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Rome/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Rome/page/6/) - ← previous: [page 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Rome/) - next →: [page 3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Rome/page/3/) - ↑ back to [English 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