Julius II (1443-1513) was the most vigorous and forceful of all the Renaissance popes. He was elected pope in 1503 and immediately became a strong defender of papal temporal power and undertook vast projects to beautify Rome. Julius resorted to war to achieve his goals.
Julius was born on Dec. 5, 1443, in Albissola, Italy, near Savona. His given and family name was Giuliano della Rovere. His uncle, Pope Sixtus IV, named him a cardinal in 1471. As a cardinal he was influential in papal politics and bitterly opposed Alexander VI, the pope from the powerful Borgia family. After his election, Julius was determined to regain the Papal States occupied by Cesare Borgia and other Italian powers, chiefly Venice (see Papal States ). Julius personally led armies in the conquest of Perugia and Bologna, and in 1509 joined the League of Cambrai against Venice.
Julius’s artistic projects were the most enduring aspect of his papacy. He was one of the greatest Renaissance patrons of the arts. He commissioned the architect Donato Bramante to design the new St. Peter’s Basilica. Julius attended the laying of the foundation stone in 1506. He commissioned the artist Michelangelo to carve his tomb and to decorate the Sistine Chapel with frescoes. He also employed the artist Raphael to work in the Vatican apartments, painting such masterpieces as the School of Athens. Julius died on Feb. 21, 1513.
