Piccolomini

Piccolomini (pronounced [pikkoˈlɔːmini]) is the name of an Italian noble family, which was prominent in Siena from the beginning of the 13th century until the 18th century.[2]

For other uses, see Piccolomini (disambiguation).
Piccolomini
Noble family
Country Holy Roman Empire
 Papal States
Republic of Siena
Grand Duchy of Tuscany
 Kingdom of Naples
 Two Sicilies
EtymologyUncertain; literally "little man"
Place of originProbably Kingdom of the Lombards
Founded1098 (1098)
FounderMartino Piccolomo[1]
Titles
MembersPope Pius II
Pope Pius III
Francesco Piccolomini
Joachim Piccolomini
Francesco Piccolomini
Celio Piccolomini
Marietta Piccolomini
Motto
Et Deo et hominibus

("The God and the Man")
Cadet branchesPiccolomini Salamoneschi
Piccolomini di Modanella
Piccolomini di Rustichino

History

In 1220, Engelberto d'Ugo Piccolomini received the fief of Montertari in Val d'Orcia from the emperor Frederick II as a reward for services rendered. The family acquired houses and towers in Siena as well as castles and territory in the republic, including Montone and Castiglione; the latter sold to the comune in 1321.[2]

They obtained great wealth through trade, and established counting-houses in Genoa, Venice, Aquileia, Trieste, and in various cities of France and Germany. Supporters of the Guelph cause in the civil broils by which Siena was torn, they were driven from the city during the time of Manfred of Sicily and their houses demolished; they returned in triumph after the Angevin victories, were expelled once more during the brief reign of Conradin, and again returned to Siena with the help of Charles of Anjou. But through their riotous political activity, the Piccolomini lost their commercial influence, which passed into the hands of the Florentines, although they retained their palaces, castles and about twenty fiefs, some of which were in the territory of Amalfi and of great extent.[2]

Another branch of the family obtained a great success in the Kingdom of Naples, becoming one of the "seven great houses"[3] of the kingdom.

Prominent family members

Many members of the house were distinguished ecclesiastics, generals and statesmen in Siena and elsewhere.[2]

Two of them became popes:[2]

  • Enea Silvio Piccolomini (papal name Pius II)
  • Francesco Piccolomini (papal name Pius III)

Other distinguished members include:

References
  1. Vittorio Spreti - Enciclopedia Storico Nobiliare Italiana 1928-1936 (Ristampa Anastatica Forni Editore Bologna -1981) Vol. V, pag. 325.
  2. Chisholm 1911, p. 580.
  3. Le "Serenissime Sette Grandi Case del Regno di Napoli" comprendevano: Acquaviva, Celano, Evoli, Marzano, Molise, Ruffo, Sanseverino; estintesi le famiglie d'Evoli, Marzano e Molise, queste furono sostituite da quelle dei d'Aquino, del Balzo e Piccolomini (in merito si vedano: Archivio di Stato di Napoli scheda famiglia Sanseverino Archived 2013-12-24 at the Wayback Machine; B. Filangieri di Candida Gonzaga, op.cit, ad voces; Spreti, op.cit, ad voces).

Bibliography
  • Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Piccolomini" . Encyclopædia Britannica. 21 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 580. Endnotes:
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