Savonarola - Savonarola (English spelling) Girolamo Savonarola

An Italian friar of the Dominican Order. He was the abbot of St. Mark's Basilica in Florence from 1491. He practiced asceticism himself, denounced the decadence of the church and the corruption of society at that time, and preached "repentance." His sermons were frank and prophetic, attracting many people. In 1494, the Italian expedition of King Charles VIII of France, which terrified the whole of Italy, was seen by the public as "divine punishment" as he predicted, and his political influence increased. In the same year, under his leadership, the Florentine Republic expelled the Medici family, regained its freedom, carried out national reforms, and succeeded in appeasing King Charles of France, escaping the crisis. However, Savonarola's uncompromising theocracy, pro-French policies, and criticism of the Pope made him enemies within the country. He was threatened by the opposing group, the "Arrabbiati" (Indignant Faction), and Pope Alexander VI to stop preaching and to be excommunicated, but with the absolute support of the "Pignoni" (Crybabies), he countered by advising the Pope to abdicate. The conflict between the two groups intensified, and finally a showdown by "Trial by Fire" was decided in April 1498. However, when the duel was called off on the day, the crowds who had been expecting him to perform a miracle were disappointed, and instead poured their irritation and anger on him. St. Mark's Basilica was attacked by the mob and the Indignant Faction, and he himself was arrested by the city authorities, and on May 23, he was executed in the Piazza del Comunale for heresy and then burned. He was a pioneer of the Reformation, but his theocracy had medieval and anachronistic aspects. One example of this is the "Bonfire of Vanities," in which, under his leadership, many works of art and books were burned along with other luxury items as products of decadence.

[Kanji Arizato November 17, 2017]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ドミニコ会のイタリア人修道士。1491年よりフィレンツェのサン・マルコ大聖堂院長。自ら禁欲主義を貫き、当時の教会の堕落、社会の腐敗を糾弾、「悔い改めよ」と説いた。その説教は率直で予言的色彩が濃く、多くの人をひきつけた。1494年、イタリア全土を恐怖させたフランス王シャルル8世のイタリア遠征は、彼の予言どおり「神罰」と世間に受け止められ、その政治的影響力も増した。同年、彼の指導のもとフィレンツェ共和国はメディチ家を追放して自由を取り戻し、国政改革を断行、フランス王シャルルの懐柔にも成功、危機を脱した。しかしサボナローラの非妥協的な神政政治、親仏方針、教皇批判は国内に敵をつくった。彼はこの反対勢力「アッラッビアーティ（憤怒派）」と教皇アレクサンデル6世に説教中止と破門を突きつけられるが、「ピァニョーニ（泣き虫）信徒」の絶対的支持を受けて、教皇に退位を勧告して対抗する。両派の対立は激化、ついに1498年4月「火の審判」による対決が決定する。しかし当日この決闘が中止になるや、彼に奇跡の成就を期待していた群衆は失望し、逆にいらだちと憤懣(ふんまん)を彼のうえに浴びせた。サン・マルコ大聖堂は暴徒と憤怒派に襲われ、彼自身も市当局に捕らわれ、5月23日、異端のかどで市政庁広場で処刑後焼かれた。彼は宗教改革の先駆者であったが、その神政には中世的、時代錯誤的な面があった。彼の唱導の下、多くの芸術作品や書物が、他の奢侈(しゃし)品とともに堕落の産物として焼かれた「虚栄の焼却」はその一端を示す。

［在里寛司　2017年11月17日］

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