The Lion's last roar and a new religion blooming (1519 - 1521)

The Lion's last roar and a new religion blooming (1519 - 1521)

In this episode, we dive into the dramatic papacy of Pope Leo X, exploring his efforts to secure Medici power, his architectural and social reforms in Rome, and his role in the early days of the Protestant Reformation. We track how his favoritism toward Florence shaped papal policy, the challenges he faced with Martin Luther, and the growing religious divide that would soon shake Europe to its core.

We also spotlight Leo's political maneuvers in Italy, from annexing Urbino and Perugia to negotiating alliances with the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. And of course, there's a bit of colorful historical storytelling—like Machiavelli getting upstaged by two dogs, and the dramatic origins of Giovanni delle Bande Nere.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

  • How Pope Leo X used the papacy to benefit the Medici family and Florence.
  • His land reform policies that helped Roman farmers.
  • The significance of the Duchy of Urbino and Perugia joining the Papal States.
  • Why Martin Luther’s ideas gained traction—and how Leo X underestimated the Reformation.
  • The impact of the printing press and vernacular language in spreading revolutionary ideas.
  • The cultural comeback of Matilda of Tuscany and her symbolic power in German-Italian relations.
  • The complex political chess match between Pope Leo X, Charles V, and Francis I of France.
  • The death and legacy of Leo X—and how his actions paved the way for future Medici power play


Avsnitt(286)

Recap 06: Episode 101 - 136

Recap 06: Episode 101 - 136

After quite a long tour (36 episodes) we take our routine look back to recap what we have been over, moving around Italy and back and forth in time

25 Maj 202233min

136 - Savoy from count to duke to pope (1391 - 1451)

136 - Savoy from count to duke to pope (1391 - 1451)

We follow little count Amedeo VIII as he comes to power and manages to not only expand, consolidate and organise first his county and then duchy, but even has a go at being pope for a while!

10 Maj 202219min

Anti-mafia martyrs - Pio La Torre, the mafia fighting communist

Anti-mafia martyrs - Pio La Torre, the mafia fighting communist

We take a look at the life and struggle of Sicilian communist party leader Pio La Torre, who spent his whole life trying to oppose Cosa Nostra for the good of the opressed, even when it meant going against his own party.

3 Maj 202219min

F100: Before Evil - Interview with Brandon Gauthier on Benito Mussolini

F100: Before Evil - Interview with Brandon Gauthier on Benito Mussolini

As we finish celebrating the 77th anniversary of our liberation from the Fascist government and Nazi occupiers, I talk to author Brandon Gauthier about his new book, which explores the early lives of notirious dictators such as Hitler, Stalin and Kim.

26 Apr 202243min

135 - Savoy - different coloured counts and a murder mystery (1255 - 1391)

135 - Savoy - different coloured counts and a murder mystery (1255 - 1391)

We continue catching up with the house of Savoy picking up in 1255 and, after some zig-zagging succession, see the "colourful" green count Amedeo VI and then try to discover what really happened to his son, Amedeo VII the Red count, as the counts slowly continue to expand their lands and influence in France and north-west Italy.

12 Apr 202220min

Announcement: 200th upload, new platform, new logo and happy birthday!

Announcement: 200th upload, new platform, new logo and happy birthday!

We have reached the 200th upload ( regular episodes plus extras) and have moved to a new platform. To celebrate this as well as my 45th birthday we are unveiling the new "A History of Italy" logo

5 Apr 20228min

134 - Piedmont and the rise of the house of Savoy

134 - Piedmont and the rise of the house of Savoy

We catch the region of piedmont up to the 13th century and then start to take a look at the rise of the house of Savoy, beginning with its founder Umberto Biancamano, he of the white hand (for some reason).

22 Mars 202219min

F100:  03b The occupation of Fiume part 02

F100: 03b The occupation of Fiume part 02

The second part of our chat on the occupation of Fiume where we look at the occupation itself and the life of D'Annunzio after the endeavor

15 Mars 202227min

Populärt inom Utbildning

bygga-at-idioter
historiepodden-se
rss-bara-en-till-om-missbruk-medberoende-2
det-skaver
nu-blir-det-historia
rosceremoni
harrisons-dramatiska-historia
allt-du-velat-veta
alska-oss
johannes-hansen-podcast
not-fanny-anymore
svd-ledarredaktionen
roda-vita-rosen
sektledare
rikatillsammans-om-privatekonomi-rikedom-i-livet
sa-in-i-sjalen
rss-max-tant-med-max-villman
jagaren
handen-pa-hjartat
i-vantan-pa-katastrofen