Hadrian VII: What the Popes do for the Archaeology

The almost prophetic novel "Hadrian VII" (1904) by Frederic Rolfe - a must read! - reveals much not only about Jesuits, but also about the commitment of open-minded, modern popes to archaeology. The Papa Inglese Hadrian VII, after selling all the art treasures of the Vatican and thus securing the worldwide sympathy of socialists - he himself decides the price of each piece! -, promotes archaeology and calls on others to do the same:

"He wishes the Italian government to offer scholarships to students of archaeology, because in the holy, glorious, still untouched soil of Italy there still rest countless treasures and monuments and settlements from antiquity, which should be excavated, studied and preserved, so that this may fan the flame of patriotism". (p. 355).   

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Category: Recommended reading