The 'Commentaries' of Pope Pius II (1458-1464) and the Crisis of the Fifteenth-Century Papacy

"The Commentaries of Pope Pius II (1458-1464) and the Crisis of the Fifteenth-Century Papacy offers a new and convincing interpretation of Pius's Commentaries, which is without a doubt the richest and most discussed primary source for the fifteenth century papacy. The Commentaries, O'Brien argues, are both Pius's apology for his early support of conciliarist ideas and his assertion of papal power. Her book thus demonstrates the essential interrelation of Church politics and humanist classical literature, placing her at the forefront of the study of the Renaissance papacy." -- Anthony D'Elia, Department of History, Queen's University "Emily O'Brien's work on Pope Pius II is the most interesting being done on that humanist pope in recent years. This book will be greatly welcomed by those of us interested in the Renaissance papacy, Italian political history, and the cultural heritage of the humanists." -- Thomas M. Izbicki, Rutgers University Library

The Commentaries of Pope Pius II (1458–1464) and the Crisis of the Fifteenth-Century Papacy demonstrates the role that Pius and his writings played in the evolution of the Renaissance papacy.

Written in the mid-fifteenth century, Pope Pius II’s Commentaries are the only known autobiography of a reigning pontiff and a fundamental text in the history of Renaissance humanism.

In this book, Emily O’Brien positions Pius’ expansive autobiographical text within that century’s contentious debate over ecclesiastical sovereignty. Presenting the Commentaries as Pius’ response to the crisis of authority, legitimacy, and relevance that was engulfing the Renaissance papacy, she shows how the Commentaries function as both an aggressive assault on the papal monarchy’s chief opponents and a systematic defense of Pius’s own troubled pontificate and his pre-papal career. Illustrating how the language, imagery, and ideals of secular power inform Pius’ apologetic self-portrait, The Commentaries of Pope Pius II (1458–1464) and the Crisis of the Fifteenth-Century Papacy demonstrates the role that Pius and his writings played in the evolution of the Renaissance papacy.