The Life of Cola di Rienzo

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The Life of Cola di Reinzo is an anonymous eye-witness biography detailing the life of Cola di Rienzo, a visionary who led a popular revolution against the tyrannical barons of medieval Rome. It vividly recounts Cola's brief reign as "Tribune" of a "restored Roman republic" in 1347, his pilgrimage to the imperial court in Prague and the papal court in Avignon, his return to Rome as Papal Senator in 1354, and his tragic death at the hands of a mob shortly after his restoration. The chronicler provides a striking portrayal of the squalor and degradation of medieval Rome, presenting a clear-eyed view of both noble and ignoble figures. The society depicted is plagued by poverty, violence, and disease, highlighting the stark contrast with the grandeur of ancient Rome, yet the chronicler maintains hope for human heroism. Written in the vigorous Romanesco dialect of medieval Italian, the narrative's naive surface belies an artful technique in storytelling, description, and characterization. Notable moments include Cola's epic battle with the barons at the Tiburtine Gate, the execution of the Provençal adventurer Fra Morreale, and Cola's horrifying demise. This work, at times terrifying and often hilariously obscene, is presented here for the first time in a complete translation for English-speaking readers.