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A pair of engravings depicting four obelisks (Vatican Obelisk, Lateran Obelisk, Flaminio Obelisk, and the Esquiline Obelisk), the Santi Apostoli, and Trajan's Column. All of these were part of Pope Sixtus V's urban reform program.

A pair of engravings depicting four obelisks (Vatican Obelisk, Lateran Obelisk, Flaminio Obelisk, and the Esquiline Obelisk), the Santi Apostoli, and Trajan's Column. All of these were part of Pope Sixtus V's urban reform program.

Indulgences were issued to defray the cost of building the basilica of St. Peter in Rome. Their distribution was often linked to the sacrament of penance, as believers were granted spiritual merits in exchange for financial donations. This particular indulgence, believed to be the only specimen of its kind thus far recovered, was issued specifically to clergy, granting them liturgical benefits in exchange for their contributions.

Indulgences were issued to defray the cost of building the basilica of St. Peter in Rome. Their distribution was often linked to the sacrament of penance, as believers were granted spiritual merits in exchange for financial donations. This particular indulgence, believed to be the only specimen of its kind thus far recovered, was issued specifically to clergy, granting them liturgical benefits in exchange for their contributions.

An engraving depicting the execution of Algerius, a student from Padua. The image shows Algerius being drenched in boiling oil as he stands before a prepared stake and pyre while a monk attempts to convince him to repent.

An engraving depicting the execution of Algerius, a student from Padua. The image shows Algerius being drenched in boiling oil as he stands before a prepared stake and pyre while a monk attempts to convince him to repent.

An engraving depicting the body of Arnaldo of Brescia, who was burned at the stake for heresy. The image shows two men using tongs to push the Arnoldo's remaining bones into the flames as a monk and the pope watch.

An engraving depicting the body of Arnaldo of Brescia, who was burned at the stake for heresy. The image shows two men using tongs to push the Arnoldo's remaining bones into the flames as a monk and the pope watch.

Summary: Important description of S. Maria Maggiore in its unaltered Renaissance state, before extensive renovations of Ferdinand Fuga in 1743.

Summary: Important description of S. Maria Maggiore in its unaltered Renaissance state, before extensive renovations of Ferdinand Fuga in 1743.

This view of the Belvedere Gardens and Courtyard at the Vatican is particularly important since it shows the courtyard as it was originally designed by Donato Bramante in 1505. Bramante's design offered an unobstructed prospect from the papal apartments (at left) through the length of the courtyard to the exedra, the semi-circular structure at the right of the image. This perspectival view was later blocked by the construction of a library for Pope Sixtus V in 1587-89.

This view of the Belvedere Gardens and Courtyard at the Vatican is particularly important since it shows the courtyard as it was originally designed by Donato Bramante in 1505. Bramante's design offered an unobstructed prospect from the papal apartments (at left) through the length of the courtyard to the exedra, the semi-circular structure at the right of the image. This perspectival view was later blocked by the construction of a library for Pope Sixtus V in 1587-89.

An engraving depicting various tortures and executions of Christians during the persecutions ordered under Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. The image shows five different methods of crucifixion (right), people being burned at the stake (center, background), a man being beaten (center), a figure being attacked by dogs (bottom left), and a figure being stabbed, covered in oil, and burned (left), all while the Emperors watch (top left, background).

An engraving depicting various tortures and executions of Christians during the persecutions ordered under Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. The image shows five different methods of crucifixion (right), people being burned at the stake (center, background), a man being beaten (center), a figure being attacked by dogs (bottom left), and a figure being stabbed, covered in oil, and burned (left), all while the Emperors watch (top left, background).

Summary: The Donation of Constantine was a work that told of how the Emperor Constantine I gave secular domination over Italy to the Bishops of Rome. Although purported to have been written in the fourth century, the humanist scholar Lorenzo Valla proved the work, long suspect to be an eighth century forgery. Vall's treatise was one of the first important works of comparative philology, a method invaluable to later biblical scholars and translators.

Summary: The Donation of Constantine was a work that told of how the Emperor Constantine I gave secular domination over Italy to the Bishops of Rome. Although purported to have been written in the fourth century, the humanist scholar Lorenzo Valla proved the work, long suspect to be an eighth century forgery. Vall's treatise was one of the first important works of comparative philology, a method invaluable to later biblical scholars and translators.

An engraving depicting a Roman triumphal procession passing through a triumphal gate and accross the triumphal bridge (Pons Neronianus/Vaticanus) along the triumphal way (Via Triumphale) across the Tiber River. Above the scene, an angel flies, blowing on a trumpet that is draped with a flag bearing a crest with "S.P.Q.R." on it. The accompanying text discusses sources that claim St. Peter was buried near the Via Triumphale.

An engraving depicting a Roman triumphal procession passing through a triumphal gate and accross the triumphal bridge (Pons Neronianus/Vaticanus) along the triumphal way (Via Triumphale) across the Tiber River. Above the scene, an angel flies, blowing on a trumpet that is draped with a flag bearing a crest with "S.P.Q.R." on it. The accompanying text discusses sources that claim St. Peter was buried near the Via Triumphale.

A woodcut depicting the "Papal Ass," a monster purported to have been pulled from the Tiber in Rome as a portent of the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church.

A woodcut depicting the "Papal Ass," a monster purported to have been pulled from the Tiber in Rome as a portent of the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church.

An engraving depicting the Villa Medici and gardens in Rome.

An engraving depicting the Villa Medici and gardens in Rome.

The story of how this obelisk came to be in the piazza of the Lateran spans three thousand years. It was first quarried by Thutmose III around 1450 BC and stood at the Temple of Amun at Karnak. When the emperor Augustus (27 BC-14 AD) had the first obelisks brought from Egypt to Rome in 10 BC, he had considered this one, but was deterred by the fact that it was the largest of all obelisks (being over 32 meters tall and weighing 455 tons).

The story of how this obelisk came to be in the piazza of the Lateran spans three thousand years. It was first quarried by Thutmose III around 1450 BC and stood at the Temple of Amun at Karnak. When the emperor Augustus (27 BC-14 AD) had the first obelisks brought from Egypt to Rome in 10 BC, he had considered this one, but was deterred by the fact that it was the largest of all obelisks (being over 32 meters tall and weighing 455 tons).

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Felicitas and her seven sons. The image shows five of the seven sons already dead, with one beheaded and another kneeling as the executioner prepares to behead him (left). On the right, Felicitas watches with her final son bound behind her (left).

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Felicitas and her seven sons. The image shows five of the seven sons already dead, with one beheaded and another kneeling as the executioner prepares to behead him (left). On the right, Felicitas watches with her final son bound behind her (left).

An engraving depicting the Villa Mattei, now known as Villa Celimontana, in Rome and the gardens surrounding.

An engraving depicting the Villa Mattei, now known as Villa Celimontana, in Rome and the gardens surrounding.

An engraving depicting the gardens and palace of Villa Montalto (also known as Villa Montalto Peretti, Villa Montalto Peretti Massimo, and Villa Negroni) in Rome. The entire complex was leveled to make room for the Roma Termini.

An engraving depicting the gardens and palace of Villa Montalto (also known as Villa Montalto Peretti, Villa Montalto Peretti Massimo, and Villa Negroni) in Rome. The entire complex was leveled to make room for the Roma Termini.

An engraved border to Descrizione di Roma moderna formata nvovamente. The engraving depicts a pair of figures, one holding a cross and chalice and the other holding an anchor flanking a crest with three bees (the Barberini family) crowned by a galero (bottom), a pair of cherubs with shields (one with the papal keys and the other with S.P.Q.R.

An engraved border to Descrizione di Roma moderna formata nvovamente. The engraving depicts a pair of figures, one holding a cross and chalice and the other holding an anchor flanking a crest with three bees (the Barberini family) crowned by a galero (bottom), a pair of cherubs with shields (one with the papal keys and the other with S.P.Q.R.

Summary:

Summary:

An engraving depicting the Lateran Palace (left) with the Lateran Obelisk (foreground), with the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran (right) visible with the Baptistry on its right.

An engraving depicting the Lateran Palace (left) with the Lateran Obelisk (foreground), with the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran (right) visible with the Baptistry on its right.

The print depicts the cavalcade accompanying Pope Clement XI from the Vatican Basilica to the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome on April 10, 1701

The print depicts the cavalcade accompanying Pope Clement XI from the Vatican Basilica to the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome on April 10, 1701

An engraving depicting detailed representations of the four sides of the Obelisk of Domitian, which had been moved by Pope Innocent X from the Via Appia to his family home, the Palazzo Pamphilj. Between the four sides, there is a small representation of the obelisk with a decorative ribbon proclaiming it the "Obelisus Pamphilius" (bottom), a cherub holding a pair of medallions with a portrait of Innocent X (left) and the obelisk (right) (middle), and an angel lying on a cloud supporting Innocent X's coat of arms.

An engraving depicting detailed representations of the four sides of the Obelisk of Domitian, which had been moved by Pope Innocent X from the Via Appia to his family home, the Palazzo Pamphilj. Between the four sides, there is a small representation of the obelisk with a decorative ribbon proclaiming it the "Obelisus Pamphilius" (bottom), a cherub holding a pair of medallions with a portrait of Innocent X (left) and the obelisk (right) (middle), and an angel lying on a cloud supporting Innocent X's coat of arms.

An engraving depicting a story in the New Testament apocryphal writing "Acts of Peter". In it Peter, having kindled the wrath of the powerful, is asked by his fellow Christians to flee Rome so that his ministry may continue. As he leaves the city he sees Christ walking towards Rome carrying a cross. Peter asks where he is going. Christ tells him he is going to Rome to be crucified again. Hearing this Peter returns to Rome convinced his time has come.

An engraving depicting a story in the New Testament apocryphal writing "Acts of Peter". In it Peter, having kindled the wrath of the powerful, is asked by his fellow Christians to flee Rome so that his ministry may continue. As he leaves the city he sees Christ walking towards Rome carrying a cross. Peter asks where he is going. Christ tells him he is going to Rome to be crucified again. Hearing this Peter returns to Rome convinced his time has come.

The lower third of Falda's plan shows the Belvedere Court designed in 1505 by Donato Bramante for Pope Julius II (1503-1513) to link the palace with a fifteenth-century villa on the grounds. The small courtyard (no. 9 on the plan) at the lower right housed the incomparable collection of ancient sculpture begun by Pope Julius which included such works as the Laocoon.

The lower third of Falda's plan shows the Belvedere Court designed in 1505 by Donato Bramante for Pope Julius II (1503-1513) to link the palace with a fifteenth-century villa on the grounds. The small courtyard (no. 9 on the plan) at the lower right housed the incomparable collection of ancient sculpture begun by Pope Julius which included such works as the Laocoon.

A woodcut depicting the pope, bisops, and cardinals dining at the Lateran Palace. The pope sits at his own table, with cardinals on his right, and bishops on his left. The scene is flanked by ornamental scroll work featuring masks. The woodcut is reused throughout the work.

A woodcut depicting the pope, bisops, and cardinals dining at the Lateran Palace. The pope sits at his own table, with cardinals on his right, and bishops on his left. The scene is flanked by ornamental scroll work featuring masks. The woodcut is reused throughout the work.

A pair of woodcuts with captions depicting guards taking prisoners to Castel Sant'Angelo (while others are left alone) (top) and a depiction of the nightly patrol that occurs during the Conclave in Rome (bottom).

A pair of woodcuts with captions depicting guards taking prisoners to Castel Sant'Angelo (while others are left alone) (top) and a depiction of the nightly patrol that occurs during the Conclave in Rome (bottom).

Summary: A map of Rome including illustrations of historic buildings and churches of the city; and also includes names and insignia of the 14 regions of the city of Rome.

Summary: A map of Rome including illustrations of historic buildings and churches of the city; and also includes names and insignia of the 14 regions of the city of Rome.

Summary:

Summary:

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Ignatius of Antioch. The image shows Ignatius standing alone in an arena and facing an oncoming lion with open arms as a crowd watches.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Ignatius of Antioch. The image shows Ignatius standing alone in an arena and facing an oncoming lion with open arms as a crowd watches.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Paul the Apostle. The image shows Paul kneeling and blindfolded with hands together in prayer as the executioner unsheathes his sword and looks back towards Emperor Nero, who stands atop a wall in the background (upper left).

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Paul the Apostle. The image shows Paul kneeling and blindfolded with hands together in prayer as the executioner unsheathes his sword and looks back towards Emperor Nero, who stands atop a wall in the background (upper left).

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Peter the Apostle. The image shows Peter crucified upsidedown as Emperor Nero watches from horseback in the background.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Peter the Apostle. The image shows Peter crucified upsidedown as Emperor Nero watches from horseback in the background.

Summary: A philosophical work discussing issues of faith versus unbelief through the symbolism of two societies, "The City of God" and "The City of Man".

Summary: A philosophical work discussing issues of faith versus unbelief through the symbolism of two societies, "The City of God" and "The City of Man".

A pair of engravings depicting the Scala Sancta at St. John Lateran and statues of the Dioscuri with horses which were moved to the Piazza del Quirinale, both of which were a part of Pope Sixtus V's urban reform program.

A pair of engravings depicting the Scala Sancta at St. John Lateran and statues of the Dioscuri with horses which were moved to the Piazza del Quirinale, both of which were a part of Pope Sixtus V's urban reform program.

An engraving depicting

An engraving depicting

A woodcut depicting the stages of the funeral procession of Pope Clement XI, showing the route of the procession and the elements of the procession.

A woodcut depicting the stages of the funeral procession of Pope Clement XI, showing the route of the procession and the elements of the procession.

An engraved map of the Esquiline Hill in Rome showing rough topography and the plans of a number of notable landmarks and buildings including: the Baths of Diocletian, Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Baths of Titus, Basilica of St. Clemens, Basilica of Saint Praxedis, Church of Saint Bibiana, Basilica of Saint Peter in Chains, and Basilica of Saint Stephen Rotunda.

An engraved map of the Esquiline Hill in Rome showing rough topography and the plans of a number of notable landmarks and buildings including: the Baths of Diocletian, Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Baths of Titus, Basilica of St. Clemens, Basilica of Saint Praxedis, Church of Saint Bibiana, Basilica of Saint Peter in Chains, and Basilica of Saint Stephen Rotunda.

An engraving depicting the Villa Borghesia and its surrounding gardgens

An engraving depicting the Villa Borghesia and its surrounding gardgens

An engraving depicting the gardens and villa of the Pamphilli family, located near the Porta San Pancrazio in Rome.

An engraving depicting the gardens and villa of the Pamphilli family, located near the Porta San Pancrazio in Rome.