“RES PUBLICA CHRISTIANA”: POLYDORE VERGIL ON THE “INVENTION” OF THE CHURCH HIERARCHY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM OF THE ROMAN CURIA

This paper deals with a history of institutionalization of the Roman Catholic Church as reflected in Polydore Virgil’s treatise “De Rerum Inventoribus”. In this work humanist investigates origins of Christianity and in particular – development of the administrative system of the Church. Polydore pays special attention to the status of the diocese of Rome in the international relations, emphasizes significance of the ecumenical councils, analyses origins of the College of Cardinals, the election of Pope, (proto)notaries, indulgences and tax policy of the Apostolic Chancery. All these aspects reveal an attempt of Polydore to use historicism for interpretation and coping with a conflict inside the Christian Church.

history of the Roman Catholic Church, Reformation, humanism, administrative system of the Church, the College of Cardinals, papacy