In this episode of The Rest Is History, Dominic and Tom delve into the life and times of Girolamo Savonarola, a Dominican friar who rose to power in Florence after the death of Lorenzo the Magnificent and the subsequent expulsion of the Medici. They discuss Savonarola's fiery sermons, his apocalyptic prophecies, and his role in the political upheaval of Florence during the Italian Wars. The hosts explore Savonarola's moral reforms, including the Bonfire of the Vanities, and analyze his complex character, questioning whether he was a charlatan or a genuinely devout reformer. They also examine Savonarola's conflict with Pope Alexander VI, his eventual downfall, and his legacy as a controversial figure in Renaissance history, noting his influence on later Protestant reformers and the lasting impact of his rule on Florence.
