A Pope with church leaders
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A Pope with church leaders
A Pope with church leaders, a comet, an eclipse and accompanying text. Date: 1493
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14136328
© Kings College London / Mary Evans
1493 Accompanying Comet Comets Eclipse Eclipses Leaders Pope Popes
EDITORS COMMENTS
A Gathering of Faith and Wonder: Pope Alexander VI and the Celestial Signs of 1493 This evocative image captures a pivotal moment in the intersection of religion, science, and the natural world during the late 15th century. Pope Alexander VI, the Spanish-born Rodrigo Borgia, sits regally among a group of church leaders, their solemn expressions contrasting the awe-inspiring celestial phenomena unfolding beyond the walls of the Vatican. The year was 1493, and the heavens were ablaze with a rare conjunction of a comet and a solar eclipse. Comets, long considered omens of divine intervention or impending doom, had long held a place in the collective imagination of the European populace. This particular comet, with its fiery tail stretching across the night sky, was no exception. Meanwhile, the solar eclipse, a more common yet still awe-inspiring event, was a source of fascination for scholars and scientists. The intricacies of the solar system and the movements of the celestial bodies were subjects of intense study, as the scientific revolution was just beginning to take hold. Pope Alexander VI, a man of the world and a patron of the arts, was well-versed in the latest discoveries and theories. He was known to have a keen interest in astronomy and the natural sciences, making him an ideal figure to document this remarkable celestial event. The accompanying text, written in Latin, provides a detailed account of the observations made by the scholars and astronomers present at the Vatican during the eclipse. The document also includes predictions about the significance of the comet and its potential impact on the world. This image, a testament to the interconnectedness of faith, science, and the natural world, offers a glimpse into a time when the wonders of the universe held the power to bring people together in awe and wonder.
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