The Pope's ElephantIn 1514, Rome, the Eternal City, was the center of the Christian world and home and workshop to Raphael, Leonardo, and Michelangelo. It was also the city of Pope Leo X, the pleasure-loving pontiff whose court was infamous for its excess, frivolity and impropriety, as well as for its newly-arrived white elephant Hanno. Hanno became a star feature in processions and festivals, and the subject of countless paintings, sculptures and fountains. In this fascinating glimpse at a forgotten sidenote to history, Silvio A. Bedini gives us an elephant's-back view of early modern Europe and the inner workings of the Vatican at the height of its influence. Charmingly written with dozens of accompanying photographs and illustrations, The Pope's Elephant will delight readers just as Hanno delighted the people of Rome five centuries ago. |
Contents
The Golden Age | 5 |
The Road to Rome | 36 |
The Rose and the Sword | 59 |
Copyright | |
4 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Abbot of Gaeta Africa Albuquerque ambassadors animal Anno ANTT Apostolic Palace appears Archivio Aretino arrival in Rome artist Baraballo basilica Beroaldo Biblioteca Branconio brought Cardinal carved Castel Sant'Angelo ceremonies Church Ciutiis Cortile del Belvedere Cunha death decorated depicted drawing Dürer elephant's Emperor Faria featured Florence Francesco fresco gifts Giovanni da Udine Giovio Giulio Giulio Romano Gnoli gold Golden Rose Grassi Hanno Hanno's Holy honour India João King Manuel later Leo's letter Lisbon Livro Lorenzo Mac Swiney Maço mahout Medici menagerie mission of obedience mounted Museum noted Pacheco painting Palazzo Palazzo Baldassini papal court Pasquino Pastor piazza poet pontiff Pope Julius Pope Julius II Pope Leo Pope Leo X Portugal Portuguese Portuguese king Portuguese mission Raphael Rebello da Silva reign Roman Roscoe royal Sanuto selected sent sixteenth century sketch St Peter Swiney de Mashanaglass Tristão da Cunha Vatican Vatican hill villa woodcut