Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The city of Rome was once the capital of a mighty empire. But in the middle of the fifteenth century, two-thirds of the area inside the walls was uninhabited, and the city was covered in moss-covered statues, defaced and indecipherable inscriptions, and parts within the walls that look like thick woods or caves where forest animals were wont to breed. #2 The popes remained in Avignon until 1362, when Urban V was elected. He traveled to Rome and took up residence in the Vatican Palace, but he died soon after. His successor, Gregory XI, moved the Curia back to Rome. #3 The city of Rome was in a state of chaos and decay, and the Romans had allowed this to happen. The Romans had tried to form a strong and stable political state, but they had been unable to do so. #4 Pope Nicholas V, who was elected in 1447, was a champion of the Renaissance. He promoted a Holy Year for 1450, which brought in a lot of money for the Church. He also deposited 100,000 golden sovereigns in the Medici bank.