Julius exclusus e coelis

work by Erasmus

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June 29, 2026

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Julius exclusus e coelis (Latin for "Julius excluded from the heavens") is a satiric dialogue written by the Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus around 1513-1514. The work humorously depicts Pope Julius II arriving at the gates of heaven, only to be denied entry by Saint Peter. Julius, who was known for his military ambitions and patronage of the arts, attempts to bribe Saint Peter and assert his authority, but his earthly power and wealth are of no consequence in the afterlife. The dialogue satirizes the perceived corruption and worldly focus of the papacy during the Renaissance.12

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Erasmus
The wandering scholar
…Erasmus’s anonymously published satiric dialogue, Julius exclusus e coelis (written 1513–14). In Venice Erasmus was welcomed at the celebrated printing house of Aldus Manutius, where Byzantine émigrés enriched the intellectual life of a numerous scholarly company. For the Aldine press Erasmus expanded his Adagia, or annotated collection of Greek and…
Read More
…Erasmus’s anonymously published satiric dialogue, Julius exclusus e coelis (written 1513–14). In Venice Erasmus was welcomed at the celebrated printing house of Aldus Manutius, where Byzantine émigrés enriched the intellectual life of a numerous scholarly company. For the Aldine press Erasmus expanded his Adagia, or annotated collection of Greek and…
Read More

Roman Catholicism
Roman Catholicism and Renaissance humanism
…and in his anonymous satire Julius exclusus e coelis (“Julius Excluded from Heaven”) he lampooned the efforts of Pope Julius II (reigned 1503–13) to get into heaven. Erasmus also edited the writings of most of the major Church Fathers in both Latin and Greek. His edition of the Greek New…
Read More
…and in his anonymous satire Julius exclusus e coelis (“Julius Excluded from Heaven”) he lampooned the efforts of Pope Julius II (reigned 1503–13) to get into heaven. Erasmus also edited the writings of most of the major Church Fathers in both Latin and Greek. His edition of the Greek New…
Read More