renovatio urbis: Architecture, Urbanism and Ceremony in the Rome of Julius II

This book examines the urban, architectural and artistic projects during the Pontificate of Julius II (1503-13) in the context of the prevailing humanistic, religious and political backgrounds. As one of the most important and productive periods in the history of European civilization, Julius II’s ten year papacy witnessed an unprecedented campaign of ambitious building projects as well as the commissioning of important humanist and theological works. Driven by a desire to transform Rome, the study argues that the ambition of the projects was directly inspired by a common vision; namely to realise within the actual fabric of the city a golden age of human piety and intellectual/artistic achievement that could rival past ages in Biblical history. The book is unique in providing for the first time an overview of these seminal projects, identifying previously unknown connections. The text comprises six chapters, each focusing on a particular urban, architectural or artistic work and examined in relation to humanist texts, inscriptions, numismatic sources, antiquarian studies and sermons. Begun as a PhD thesis, the key themes of the book first took shape during a period in the USA when I was teaching as an assistant professor of architecture on the PhD programme at the University of Pennsylvania (2000-2002). This was followed by further research periods in Rome. Copiously illustrated, with specially produced survey and analytical drawings (maps, plans and reconstructions) and photographs, the book is published in The Classical Tradition in Architecture series by Routledge, and edited by the eminent architectural historian Caroline van Eck. It received a very favourable review in the architecture blog Guttae (http://guttae.blogspot.it/2011/06/review-nicholas-temple-renovatio-urbi.html) and was also recently promoted at a book launch in Rome (British School at Rome) in May 2012. It will shortly be reviewed in the journals Renaissance Quarterly and Architectural History.