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


Episoder(297)

Regional Italy 04 - Tuscany

Regional Italy 04 - Tuscany

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184 - Julius II: Warrior pope rising (1503 - 1508)

184 - Julius II: Warrior pope rising (1503 - 1508)

Giuliano della Rovere, after trying for more than a decade, finally manages to become pope Julius II in 1503. He gets to work breaking the last resistance of Cesare Borgia, then has to sort out his Pa...

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Regional Italy episode 03 - Lombardy

Regional Italy episode 03 - Lombardy

We take a little trip around the region of Lombardy, going beyond the financial and fashion capital Milan, to explore the beautiful nature of lake Como and hear all about the lake, monster that reside...

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Recap 08 episodes 161 - 183

Recap 08 episodes 161 - 183

We stop and take a look back at the episodes that cover the late 1400's as Italy completed her transition from the middle ages to the Renaissance and the lead up to the Italian Wars after the death of...

4 Feb 202531min

Regional Italy episode 02 - Veneto

Regional Italy episode 02 - Veneto

Which is the Italian region that can drink you under the table?Tradition would say it's Veneto and with wines such as Amarone della Valpolicella and Prosecco, it's not gard to believe.We start our jou...

21 Jan 202523min

183 - The fall of the Borgias (1503 - 1507)

183 - The fall of the Borgias (1503 - 1507)

Just when the Borgias seem at the top of their game and that nothing could possibly stop them, in August of 1503 pope Alexander VI, after a dinner party at a cardinal's house, becomes seriously ill an...

14 Jan 202520min

Regional Italy episode 01 - Emilia Romagna

Regional Italy episode 01 - Emilia Romagna

In our first episode of the Regional Italy miniseries we explore the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, travelling initially along the ancient Roman road created by Marcus Aemilius Lepidus.We ...

7 Jan 202531min

Regional Italy launch and Buon Anno!

Regional Italy launch and Buon Anno!

While wishing you a "Buon Anno" (Happy New Year" we are also excited to announce the launch of our new miniseries on the Italian regions:Regional Italy!Thanks to the support of our friends at Explore ...

31 Des 20246min

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