Oration “Senatu intercedente” of Pope Pius II (May 1463, Rome). Edited and translated by Michael von Cotta-Schönberg. 4th version. (Orations of Enea Silvio Piccolomini / Pope Pius II; 72)

Published as part of project Edition and Translation of the Orations of Enea Silvio Piccolomini / Pope Pius IIAfter his victory over the Malatestas in the Church States late 1462, Pope Pius II had agreed to a petition from the Republic of Venice to deal more leniently with them than he had previously intended to. In the case of Domenico Malatesta, Lord of Cesena, the pope had even accepted the mediation of the Republic in the person of one of its top diplomats. While negotiations were going on concerning the return of Domenico’s cities to the Papacy in case he died without legitimate male issue, the Venetians secretly bought from Domenico the salt mines of Cervia, one of the cities which would in casu return to the Papacy. As might be expected, the pope became furious at the double-dealing of the Venetians. Their ambassador was summoned and given a memorable dressing down as recorded in the text of the oration “Senatu intercedente”