Cola di Rienzo

The procession to the Senate Hall, the red-robed youths reciting Petrarch's poems to the glory of the Roman people, the Senator in green, the poet with his royal robe and laurel crown, must have offered an extraordinarily impressive sight to the citizens used to the turmoil and bloodshed of private feuds.

Cola di Rienzi, a spectator of this ceremony whose youthful mind was stored with knowledge of the past splendors of Rome and with horror of her present state of degradation, came into public notice shortly after this event.

Of humble parentage, a notary by profession, he early attracted attention by his handsome person and marvelous eloquence, and was one of an embassy sent to Avignon in 1343 to implore the return of Clement VI.

Rienzi was an inveterate opponent of the aristocrats by whom his own brother had been ruthlessly murdered and full of sympathy for the poor and the oppressed, his speeches before the Pope excited much notice and admiration.

All through his life he had evidently the true orator's gift of swaying men by a word, an almost miraculous power of influence and attraction.

The Pope honored him with an official post in Rome and on his return from Avignon, Rienzi set himself heart and soul to prepare the way for a democratic revolution.

Little by little he won over the people.

He excited their minds by speeches and allegorical pictures which showed Rome in shame and distress from which popular effort alone could raise her.