Oration “Audivi” of Enea Silvio Piccolomini (16 November 1436, Basel). Edited and translated by Michael von Cotta-Schönberg Final edition, 2nd version. (Orations of Enea Silvio Piccoomini / Pope Pius II; 2)

On 16 November 1436, Enea Silvio Piccolomini delivered the oration Audivi to the fathers of the Council of Basel, concerning the venue for the Union Council between the Latin Church and the Greek Church. He argued for the City of Pavia in the territory of the Duke of Milan. The oration reflected the tensions between conciliarism and the Papacy, between the European countries, and between the Italian powers including the Papal State. Piccolomini used the occasion to demonstrate his rhetorical skills and humanist learning to the council fathers