Polishing the Papal Image in the Counter-Reformation: The Case of Agostino Steuco
The evolution of the papacy into a major territorial power in the sixteenth century struck many reformers as diametrically opposed to the duties of the pope as the spiritual head of Christendom. The curial humanist Agostino Steuco defended the papal prince, arguing that the pope's temporal powe...
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Sixteenth Century Journal Publishers, Inc.
1992
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| In: |
The sixteenth century journal
Year: 1992, Volume: 23, Issue: 1, Pages: 35-47 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Parallel Edition: | Non-electronic
Non-electronic |
| Summary: | The evolution of the papacy into a major territorial power in the sixteenth century struck many reformers as diametrically opposed to the duties of the pope as the spiritual head of Christendom. The curial humanist Agostino Steuco defended the papal prince, arguing that the pope's temporal power and revenues were essential for the spiritual welfare of humankind. Externalized forms of piety were needed, he argued, to sustain veneration for God. Tangible signs of the sacred were fundamental in promoting proper social and civic behavior. Secular power and revenues allowed the pope to maintain cultic objects in pomp and splendor, which in turn promoted piety and religion. Italian humanist notions on human nature, and humanist concepts concerning the origins of societies and religion are shown to lie at the heart of Steuco's arguments. These humanist concepts strongly shaped the Italian humanist response to reform in Italy. |
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| ISSN: | 2326-0726 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: The sixteenth century journal
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.2307/2542063 |