August 14 1552, Renaissance thinking Paolo Sarpi was born
Philosopher, republican, historian, scientist and friar Paolo Sarpi was born August 14, 1552 in Venice.
Portrait of Paolo Sarpi (1552-1623)
Issued by Italy in 1932
Part of the Dante Alighieri Society series
Designer: F. Chiapelli
Paolo Sarpi, a champion of republicanism and free thought, became involved in the ongoing power struggle as a state counsellor. As an ecclesiastic, comparable to a Bishop, he had the unique combination of knowledge and willingness needed for the Venetian Republic’s struggle with the Vatican. Sarpi’s ascent and growing renown infuriated the Pope.
Pope Paul V and Cardinal Scipio Borghese plotted Sarpi’s assassination. They enlisted Rotilio Orlandini to kill Sarpi for a fee of 8,000 crowns. This plot was discovered, and Orlandini and his brothers-in-law were all arrested when they entered Venice.
Undeterred, the Pope sent forth more assassins, and on October 5 Paolo Sarpi was attacked, suffering 15 stab wounds from stilettos before being left for dead.
The assassins fled to papal controlled lands and were greeted with a hero’s welcome. Pope Paul V was quite pleased to have such a powerful enemy out of his way. The assassins were granted pensions for their deeds.
But Paolo Sarpi survived. He lived out his days in relative comfort, enthralled in his works, despite several more threats on his life.
https://medium.com/otdsyb/the-attempted-assassination-of-paolo-sarpi-fedaacbf944c
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