other mythological subjects: and Samson slaying the Lion, Eve, and other scriptural subjects. He became involved in pecuniary difficulties, and died by his own hand, April 16, 1840.—J. T—e.
PIUS I., tenth bishop of Rome, is said to have been a native of Aquileia. The accounts of the duration of his episcopate vary between twelve and twenty years. Fifteen is the most common period assumed. i.e., 142 to 157. The small pieces attributed to him are generally apocryphal.—S. D.
PIUS II. (Ænea Silvio de Piccolomini). Pope, was born 18th October 1405, at Corsignano in the state of Siena. After completing his studies, and proving himself an elegant Latin scholar and good poet, he became secretary of Domenico da Caprana, bishop of Fermo. With him he repaired to the council of Basle, 1432. He then passed into the service of Bishop Nicodemus, with whom he went to the diet of Frankfort, 1432. His third master was Bartolemeo of Novara. In 1435 he went again to Basle, with the pope's cardinal-legate. He afterwards accompanied the same dignitary to Scotland. After this he took part in the Council of Basle, and acted as its secretary, taking the side of the council against Pope Eugenius IV., when the council suspended the latter, and ultimately deposed him. Piccolomini became secretary of the new pope. Felix V., who sent him as ambassador to Frederick III. to Frankfort in 1442. The emperor was so well pleased with Piccolomini that he invited him to become his secretary. In this situation he composed several of his works, but seems to have been poorly paid. At last Frederick sent him as his ambassador to Pope Eugenius, who received him in a very friendly way, and forgave all his past errors. He now entered into the service of Eugenius, and became his leading instrument at the court of Vienna. From this time he advocated the papal claims as stoutly as he had done those of a council before. His real character now became known in Germany as that of a pliant, subtle, self-seeking man, who would sell his services to any party. Pope Nichols V., who succeeded Eugenius, treated Piccolomini with favour, and conferred upon him various offices, making him bishop of Trieste, and afterwards of Siena. He also sent him as nuncio to Germany and Bohemia. When Frederick III. was solemnly crowned at Rome in 1452, he was accompanied by Piccolomini as orator, who delivered an oration at Rome before the pope, the emperor, and the assembled consistory, in which he loaded Nicholas with praise, and in the name of the emperor called for a crusade against the unbelievers, i.e., the Turks. But this measure could not be effected. Pope Calixtus III., who succeeded Nicholas, made Piccolomini a cardinal; and on his death the influential cardinal was elevated to the papal see. During his pontificate he appeared exceedingly anxious to unite all the christian princes of Europe against the Turks. For this purpose he assembled them at Mantua to devise a plan of attack in common. But Germany and France seemed indisposed to join in the crusade; and the negotiations proved fruitless. Pius II. helped Ferdinand, king of Naples, in his war against the duke of Anjou. He also warred successfully against several barons in his own states. When Count Dietrich of Isenburg was appointed archbishop of Mainz, Pius refused to confirm the election unless on certain conditions, which were rejected. The former appealed to a general council; the latter deposed Dietrich, and nominated Adolph of Nassau archbishop instead. But as Dietrich was supported by the Elector Frederick, Count Palatine, a war took place, in which the papal party were defeated. Yet Dietrich was cajoled, and submitted. No sooner was this quarrel ended than Pius became involved in a quarrel with Sigismund, archduke of Austria, who had lived for some time on bad terms with Cardinal Nicholas, bishop of Brescia. Sigismund having finally taken the bishop prisoner, was put under ban of excommunication by the pope, and appealed to a general council. Gregory of Heimburg, who composed and circulated the appeal, was also put under an interdict. But that did not prevent him from issuing the most severe writings against the pope in which he quoted the sentiments of secretary Ænea Silvio against Pius II. This compelled the pope to issue a bull addressed to the university of Cologne, in which he revoked his former sentiments respecting the authority of councils. Such a proceeding, however, gained him little respect in Germany, where he was deservedly looked upon as a man of no character, and disloyal to principles. His position had altered his opinions, as is not unusual with the unprincipled. The dispute terminated by the pope's taking Sigismund back again into communion. In 1464 an army, composed of various peoples, was to assemble at Ancona to operate against the Turks. The pope set out for that place, and was greatly chagrined to find such a small armament, and an insignificant Venetian fleet. Soon after he died, August 15, 1464. The writings of Pius are numerous, but there is no complete edition of them. The Basle edition in one volume, folio, 1551, is still the fullest. His historical and geographical works are the most valuable. Voight has published the best and fullest life, Berlin, 1856, &c. Pius II. was an accomplished scholar and divine. His talents were excellent; and he had cultivated than most diligently in the earlier part of his life. He had also large experience of men and things, had visited many countries in various capacities, and seen human nature in most of its phases. But he cannot command our respect, either before his elevation to the see of St. Peter or after it. His life had been dissolute and debauched before he became pope. His statesmanship was full of the worst diplomacy. As Pius II. he renounced his former liberal and moderate views of papal authority. In fact he readily adapted himself to circumstances, without scruple on the score of conscience. The writings of Æneus Sylvius are valuable as histories of certain times and transactions; but the man of versatile genius can neither raise our admiration nor win our regard.—S. D.
PIUS III. (Francesco Todeschini). Pope, was elected pope September 22d. 1503, and crowned October 8th. Ten days after he died. He was a sister's son of Pius II.—S. D.
PIUS IV. (Giovanni Angelo Medici of Milan), Pope, not of the celebrated family of Medici, was raised to the papal see 1560. His first measures were mild and tolerant. He proclaimed a general amnesty for all that had happened in Rome after the death of Paul IV., and instituted proceedings against the Caraffas, grandsons of the late pope, some of whom were executed. In 1561, at Easter, he convoked the council of Trent, whose sittings had been suspended; but the first sitting under Pius IV. did not take place till January 18, 1562. The difficulties of the pope's position in this council were numerous. The Spaniards, Germans, and French urged reforms of various kinds; and in some things the three agreed. But the Italians obstinately resisted these demands, and therefore little was done in 1562 except the passing of a resolution respecting the index librorum prohibitorum, and the refusal of the cup to the laity—a step agreeable to the Spaniards as well as the Italians. It was a fine piece of policy in Pius to work upon the council through the medium of the catholic princes; and therefore he entered into negotiations with Frederick I., Philip II. of Spain, and Cardinal Guise. These potentates being gained over to his plans, the three sittings of the council in 1563 were speedily brought to a close. The last took place on the 3d December; after which the council's decrees were confirmed by a bull, and the assembled bishops were compelled to subscribe them under threat of excommunication. The pope triumphed in the council of Trent. All the reforms decreed in it related to church discipline, a better order of worship, a more thorough preparation of the clergy, and a stricter obedience to the pope. Thus the head of the church and his conclave were untouched by the hand of reform. Pius IV. was an earnest zealot against heretics, who were spreading their tenets in various parts of Italy, especially Calabria and Piedmont. The Spanish viceroy of Naples sent his troops to exterminate the heretics in Calabria. Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy attacked the Waldenses: but finally permitted them the exercise of their religion in their own territory. In the quarrels between protestants and catholics in France some influential French bishops were in favour of important concessions being made to the protestants, with the view of bringing them back to the church. Catherine de Medici wrote to the pope with that object, who referred the matter to the council of Trent. But without waiting farther Catherine published the edict of pacification, 1562, allowing the protestants liberty of conscience. Pius IV. died December 9, 1565. He was an able man, generous, politic, who inaugurated a new era of catholicism.—S. D.
PIUS V. (Michele Ghisleri). Pope, born at Bosco, near Alessandria, was chosen pope, 8th January. 1566. His manner of life and education prognosticated the future career of Pius V. He was a strict inquisitor, who had held most important offices in connection with the terrible tribunal in various places, as well as in Rome: had been brought up as a dominican monk; and had shown himself a rigid disciplinarian in respect of purity of conduct among the clergy, monks, and nuns. His own life was irreproachable, showing that he was earnest and
