Was There Really a Female Pope?

UsefulCharts
20 Mar 202017:16
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe video explores the legend of Pope Joan, a female pope believed to have disguised herself as a man, and delves into the real historical figure Marozia of Tusculum, who exerted significant influence over the papacy. Marozia, along with her family, is said to have controlled several popes, leading to the era known as the 'pornocracy.' The video also discusses the impact of Marozia's descendants on the papacy and touches on the controversial figure of John XII, who is linked to the Pope Joan myth. It concludes by highlighting the enduring legacy of Marozia and her family in the history of the papacy.

Takeaways
  • 🤔 The legend of Pope Joan, a female pope who disguised as a man, is widely considered a myth by modern scholars.
  • 👑 Marozia of Tusculum was a historical figure with significant influence over the papacy, being related to multiple popes.
  • 🏛 The period of Marozia's influence is known as the 'pornocracy', a term reflecting corruption rather than prostitution.
  • 👶 Marozia was possibly the mistress of Pope Sergius III and later married Alberic I, with whom she had children, including a rumored illegitimate son who became a pope.
  • 👩‍🦳 Marozia's mother, Theodora, held the title of Senatrix, an unusual position for a woman at the time.
  • 👥 The power dynamics of the papacy during Marozia's time were heavily influenced by her family, including her mother and daughter.
  • 👶🏻 John, one of Marozia's sons, became the youngest pope ever at the age of 20, under his mother's influence.
  • 👰 Marozia's marriage to Hugh, the King of Italy, was controversial and led to her downfall when a riot deposed them both.
  • 🔗 Marozia's descendants continued to influence the papacy, with several becoming popes themselves.
  • 👁️ The script suggests that the story of Marozia and her family is more intriguing and historically significant than the legend of Pope Joan.
  • 🏰 The House of Tusculum, to which Marozia belonged, continued its legacy in the form of powerful noble houses like the Colonna, who still hold a hereditary position in the Vatican.
Q & A
  • Who was Marozia of Tusculum and how is she related to the papacy?

    -Marozia of Tusculum was a powerful woman in the early Middle Ages who had significant influence over the papacy. She was the lover of a pope, the mother of a pope, the great-aunt of a pope, the grandmother of two popes, and an ancestor of five more popes.

  • What is the term 'pornocracy' and how does it relate to the period of Marozia's influence?

    -The term 'pornocracy' refers to the rule by a corrupt noble family, often associated with the period when Marozia and her relatives controlled the papacy. It does not imply that the women were actual prostitutes but rather that they used various means to maintain power.

  • How was the selection of popes different during Marozia's time compared to modern times?

    -During Marozia's time, popes were often chosen by the most powerful secular leader in Rome, whereas in modern times, they are chosen through a process involving cardinals who are locked in a room until they reach a consensus via voting.

  • What was the significance of the title 'Senatrix' held by Theodora, Marozia's mother?

    -The title 'Senatrix' was a rare designation that meant Theodora served as a female senator in the city of Rome, indicating her significant political power and influence.

  • What was the role of Pope Sergius III in Marozia's life and the papacy?

    -Pope Sergius III is believed to have had Marozia as his mistress when she was only 15, which was likely arranged by her parents to strengthen the alliance between church and state. This relationship may have contributed to the illegitimate birth of Marozia's first son, John.

  • Who was John X and how did Marozia influence his papacy?

    -John X was a pope who was allegedly one of Theodora's lovers and had the strong backing of Marozia's mother. Marozia later deposed John X, appointing him to the dungeon where he was eventually killed, and then appointed her son John as the next pope.

  • How did Marozia's marriage to Hugh, the King of Italy, impact her power and eventual downfall?

    -Marozia's marriage to Hugh was intended to solidify her power, as Hugh was on track to become the Holy Roman Emperor. However, their marriage violated Catholic Church laws, and after a public humiliation by Marozia's son Alberic, a riot ensued that led to their deposition and Marozia's imprisonment.

  • What is the connection between Marozia's descendants and the Pope Joan legend?

    -Pope John XII, a descendant of Marozia, is considered one of the most immoral popes and was rumored to have turned the papal residences into a brothel. One of his mistresses was named Joan, and some drawings from the time depict him with feminine features, possibly contributing to the Pope Joan legend.

  • How did Marozia's influence continue even after her death?

    -Marozia's influence continued through her descendants, who included eight more popes. Her lineage also led to the founding of the House of Colonna, a powerful noble house in Italy with a hereditary title related to the papacy.

  • What is the significance of the term 'Saeculum Obscurum' in relation to the papacy?

    -The term 'Saeculum Obscurum,' which means 'the Dark Age' in Latin, is used by some Catholic historians to describe the period of the papacy under Marozia's influence, viewing it as a low point in their history due to perceived corruption and immorality.

  • How did Marozia's grandson, Pope John XII, play a role in the crowning of the first Holy Roman Emperor?

    -Pope John XII, despite his controversial reputation, crowned Otto the Great, who is considered by many historians to be the first true Holy Roman Emperor, showing the lingering influence of Marozia's lineage in significant historical events.

Outlines
00:00
🤴 The Legend of Pope Joan and Marozia's Influence

This paragraph delves into the legend of Pope Joan, a supposed female pope from the early Middle Ages, and contrasts it with the historical figure Marozia of Tusculum. Marozia, who had significant influence over the papacy, was a pope's lover, mother, great-aunt, and grandmother, and an ancestor to five more popes. The script introduces Project Her Story, a YouTube collaboration celebrating Women's History Month 2020. It also explains the historical process of choosing popes, transitioning from secular leaders' control to the modern system of cardinal votes. The paragraph highlights the control of the papacy by Marozia's family during the so-called 'pornocracy' or 'rule by prostitutes,' a term reflecting the corrupt rule of her family rather than actual prostitution. The author challenges the negative connotations of this period, suggesting that similar corruption occurred in other eras dominated by men.

05:02
🏰 Marozia's Rise to Power and the Papal Appointments

This section details Marozia's ascent to power following the death of her parents and first husband. It describes her alliance with Guy, the half-brother of Hugh, the King of Italy, and their joint opposition to Pope John X, who was allegedly one of Theodora's lovers. Marozia and Guy's power play led to John X's imprisonment and subsequent death, after which Marozia appointed her son John as the youngest pope in history at the age of 20. The paragraph also touches on Marozia's peak of power, her marriage to Hugh, and their eventual downfall due to a public scandal and riot incited by her son Alberic, leading to Marozia's imprisonment and eventual death.

10:04
👶 The Papal Legacy of Marozia's Descendants

The paragraph explores the continued influence of Marozia through her descendants who became popes. It discusses the short papacy of her son John XI and the subsequent popes appointed by Marozia's son Alberic II, including the controversial Pope John XII, who was known for his immorality and connections to the Pope Joan legend. The narrative also covers the political maneuvering that led to the marriage between Alberic II and Alda, Hugh's daughter, and the birth of their son Gregory, who continued the House of Tusculum lineage. The paragraph concludes with the impact of Marozia's bloodline on the papacy, even after her death.

15:07
👑 The Enduring Legacy of Marozia and the Colonna Family

This final paragraph wraps up the story of Marozia's influence by examining the later popes from her lineage, including the unusual case of Pope Benedict VIII, who served as pope on three separate occasions and even sold the papacy at one point. It also mentions the hereditary nature of the papacy during this period and the influence of the Colonna family, a branch of the House of Tusculum. The paragraph concludes with the acknowledgment of Marozia's enduring legacy, with her descendant Don Marcantonio Colonna holding a hereditary title in the Vatican to this day, and an invitation to viewers to explore more about influential women in history through Project Her Story.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Pope Joan
Pope Joan is a legendary figure alleged to have been a female pope during the early Middle Ages. According to legend, she disguised herself as a man and was only discovered when she gave birth during a procession. The video suggests that modern scholars generally dismiss this story as fiction. The mention of Pope Joan serves as a contrast to the real historical figure Marozia, highlighting the unique roles women have played in papal history.
💡Marozia of Tusculum
Marozia was a powerful noblewoman in Rome who significantly influenced the papacy during the early 10th century. She was the lover of Pope Sergius III, mother of Pope John XI, and an ancestor to several other popes. Marozia's involvement in the papacy and her familial connections made her a key figure in the so-called 'pornocracy,' a period characterized by the dominance of a corrupt noble family in the Church.
💡Pornocracy
The term 'pornocracy' refers to a period in papal history when the papacy was heavily influenced by the powerful and allegedly corrupt Theophylact family, particularly the women of the family. This era, also known as the 'Saeculum Obscurum' or 'Dark Age,' is marked by the significant control Marozia and her relatives exerted over the selection of popes. The term implies a derogatory view of this period, suggesting moral corruption and exploitation.
💡Theophylact family
The Theophylact family was a prominent Roman noble family in the early Middle Ages. The family included Theophylact, his wife Theodora, and their daughters Marozia and Theodora II. They played a crucial role in the politics of Rome and the Catholic Church, with Theophylact's wife and daughters exercising considerable influence over the papacy. The family's dominance during this period is often criticized as corrupt, yet they were key power brokers in Rome.
💡Pope Sergius III
Pope Sergius III was the pope from 904 to 911 and a lover of Marozia. His papacy is noted for its political intrigues and alleged involvement in the murders of his rivals. His relationship with Marozia, who was much younger, resulted in the birth of Pope John XI. Sergius III's papacy is part of the 'pornocracy' period, illustrating the intertwining of secular and ecclesiastical power.
💡John XI
Pope John XI, possibly the son of Marozia and Pope Sergius III, became pope at a young age. His papacy was marked by his mother's significant influence and his brief reign. He is part of the complex family dynamics and political maneuvers that characterized the Theophylact family's control over the papacy.
💡Otto the Great
Otto the Great was the Holy Roman Emperor crowned by Marozia's grandson, Pope John XII. He played a significant role in the power struggles involving the papacy and the Roman nobility. Otto's coronation marked a key moment in the history of the Holy Roman Empire, demonstrating the papacy's role in legitimizing secular rulers.
💡House of Tusculum
The House of Tusculum was a noble family that descended from Marozia. The family provided multiple popes, including John XII, Benedict VII, and the brothers Benedict VIII and John XIX. The family's influence on the papacy highlights the intermingling of noble lineage and ecclesiastical power during the Middle Ages.
💡Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a multi-ethnic complex of territories in central Europe that developed during the early Middle Ages. The term is mentioned in the context of Otto the Great's coronation, where Marozia's grandson, Pope John XII, played a pivotal role. The empire's interactions with the papacy often involved struggles over influence and authority.
💡Antipope
An antipope is a person who, in opposition to the one who is generally recognized as the legitimate pope, makes a significantly supported competing claim to be the pope. The video mentions Antipope Benedict X, who arose during a period of contested papal succession. The designation of 'antipope' reflects the complexity and political nature of papal elections during this era.
Highlights

The legend of Pope Joan, a supposed female pope, has been dismissed by modern scholars as fiction.

The real historical woman likely inspiring the Pope Joan legend was Marozia of Tusculum.

Marozia was the lover of a pope, the mother of a pope, the great-aunt of a pope, the grandmother of two popes, and the ancestor of an additional five more popes.

Marozia and her family controlled the papacy for several decades during a period known as the pornocracy or Saeculum Obscurum.

The period is referred to as the pornocracy, meaning 'rule by prostitutes,' and the Saeculum Obscurum, or 'Dark Age,' due to perceived corruption.

Marozia's influence on the papacy is considered significant, despite the sexist labeling of her era as particularly corrupt.

Marozia's first son, John, became Pope John XI, the youngest pope ever at age 20.

Marozia was powerful enough to marry Hugh, King of Italy, and was on track to become the Holy Roman Empress.

Marozia was eventually overthrown by her son Alberic II, who incited a riot in Rome.

Marozia lived the rest of her life in a dungeon and died in obscurity.

Marozia's grandson, Pope John XII, is considered one of the most immoral popes, supposedly dying during sex.

The Crescentii family controlled the papacy for several decades after Marozia's era.

Marozia's descendant, Pope Benedict IX, is the only pope known to have served more than once and to have sold the papacy.

Marozia's descendants continued to be influential in the Vatican, with the House of Colonna remaining powerful.

The current head of the Colonna family holds the title 'Prince Assistant to the Papal Throne,' a hereditary position.

The video is part of Project Her Story, celebrating influential women in history.

Transcripts
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