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Why was Julius II called Italy’s savior?
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Julius II
Julius II, contemporary medallion; in the coin collection of the Vatican Library.
Pope Julius II earned the reputation as Italy’s savior primarily because he became a prominent exponent of Italian national consciousness and worked to liberate the peninsula from foreign domination.1
His efforts to secure Italy involved two major strategic goals:
- Restoration of the Papal States: Julius II prioritized reclaiming territories that had been lost or appropriated by Venice and the Borgia family. By joining the League of Cambrai and later forming new alliances, he successfully recovered these lands and expanded papal territory.12
- Expelling Foreign Powers: Julius II sought to drive the French out of Italy to prevent foreign supremacy. Through the formation of the Holy League and the strategic use of Swiss troops, he successfully forced the French to withdraw from the country, effectively ending their occupation of northern Italian territories.1
While he remained concerned about the rising influence of Spain toward the end of his life, his decisive actions in removing French forces and consolidating the Papal States solidified his historical legacy as a defender of Italian interests.1