Commune of Rome

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Commune of Rome

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A semi-autonomous, citizen-led political regime in Rome from the 12th to the late 14th centuries.

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Origins & Early Life

The Commune of Rome (Latin: Communis Romae) was a semi-autonomous, citizen-led political regime established in the city of the same name, whose emergence can be included within the process of constitution of urban communes in Northern Italy (11th-12th centuries). As a political-administrative entity, the Commune of Rome, with its physical headquarters on the Capitoline Hill, was made up of governing and representative bodies (Arengum or Parlamentum, Senate and Council), justice and finance whose jurisdiction presumably included, from north to south, from the Paglia bridge in Radicofani to Ceprano and, from east to west, from Carsoli to the coastline. After two years of conflict with Rome (1141-1143), neighbouring Tivoli had finally been subjected to the authority of Pope Innocent II (1130-1143), who nevertheless forbade the Romans to tear down its walls or to take reprisals against the Tiburtines. For this reason, between August and October 1143, the Roman citizens, encouraged by the reformist preacher Arnold of Brescia, rebelled against the then Pope, Lucius II and proceeded to renew the old Senate on the Capitoline Hill. This episode, known as the renovatio Senatus, is considered the founding act of the Commune of Rome, but its formation nevertheless responds to a process that began in the 11th century.

Career & Major Achievements

In fact, the Roman quest for autonomy outside papal authority has as its earliest references the prominent presence of laici potenti in the public courts of the 11th century, the emergence of courts of justice specialized in the resolution of professional disputes, the granting of an important commercial privilege to the Abbey of Monte Cassino in 1127 by six Roman citizens acting on behalf of the city and, above all, the configuration of an armed militia composed of members of noble families that acted independently of papal authority. In this sense, the citizen nobility gathered in arms against Tivoli forms a key element to understand the evolution of the Commune of Rome, which is nourished by its cadres from the revolt of 1143 onwards. From its foundation until 1188, the Commune of Rome enjoyed almost complete autonomy from the Papacy, with which it came to dispute its lordships in Latium (Tivoli, Albano Laziale, Tuscolo) based on a policy of communal expansion, as well as the control of cereal production between Viterbo and the Tyrrhenian Sea, the imposition of taxes, the administration of justice in the territories of Sabina, Tuscia and Campagna e Marittima and even the power to consecrate emperors, regardless of the final decision of the Germanic claimants. In 1188, the Commune of Rome reached an agreement with Pope Clement III (1187–1191) by which it returned to the pontiff some of the powers lost since 1143 (the right to mint coins, royalties, etc.) and also undertook to respect cardinals, clerics and visitors, to return the revenues and properties of the churches previously plundered, to perform military service to the pontiff and to swear allegiance to him as lord of the city. The commune, for its part, obtained from the Papacy not only official recognition of its existence and its territorial aspirations over Tuscolo, but also reparations, donations and financial contributions.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1191, following a popular revolt demanding communal autonomy from the Papacy, the Commune of Rome saw its system of government modified, represented by the Senate, through the election of a single senator; a collegiate senatorial magistracy, controlled by representatives of opposing aristocratic factions, which could be compared, in a certain way, to that of consul and/or podestà in the rest of the communes of northern Italy. From then on, the Senate began to form a subordinate council, which would eventually split into a general council, composed of the caporioni and the consuls of the Arts of Rome, and a special council, of more restricted composition. Likewise, the services that initially depended on the authority of the Senate began to organize themselves autonomously. Exceptionally, although notably noticeably, between 1198 and 1205 Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) appointed himself a medianus; a figure whose role was to elect a senator from among the Guelph and/or Ghibelline families who would remain loyal to the pontiff. Such interference would on more than one occasion provoke the noble families to revolt whenever the leadership of the Commune fell to one faction or another, so much so that the split into two opposing parties made the instability of the political environment evident.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1127: 1127 Milestone — In fact, the Roman quest for autonomy outside papal authority has as its earliest references the prominent presence of laici potenti in the public courts of the 11th century, the emergence of courts of justice specialized in the resolution of professional disputes, the granting of an important commercial privilege to the Abbey of Monte Cassino in 1127 by six Roman citizens acting on behalf of the city and, above all, the configuration of an armed militia composed of members of noble families that acted independently of papal authority.
2. 1141: 1141 Milestone — After two years of conflict with Rome (1141-1143), neighbouring Tivoli had finally been subjected to the authority of Pope Innocent II (1130-1143), who nevertheless forbade the Romans to tear down its walls or to take reprisals against the Tiburtines.
3. 1143: 1143 Milestone — For this reason, between August and October 1143, the Roman citizens, encouraged by the reformist preacher Arnold of Brescia, rebelled against the then Pope, Lucius II and proceeded to renew the old Senate on the Capitoline Hill.
4. 1188: 1188 Milestone — From its foundation until 1188, the Commune of Rome enjoyed almost complete autonomy from the Papacy, with which it came to dispute its lordships in Latium (Tivoli, Albano Laziale, Tuscolo) based on a policy of communal expansion, as well as the control of cereal production between Viterbo and the Tyrrhenian Sea, the imposition of taxes, the administration of justice in the territories of Sabina, Tuscia and Campagna e Marittima and even the power to consecrate emperors, regardless of the final decision of the Germanic claimants.
5. 1191: 1191 Milestone — In 1191, following a popular revolt demanding communal autonomy from the Papacy, the Commune of Rome saw its system of government modified, represented by the Senate, through the election of a single senator; a collegiate senatorial magistracy, controlled by representatives of opposing aristocratic factions, which could be compared, in a certain way, to that of consul and/or podestà in the rest of the communes of northern Italy.
6. 1198: 1198 Milestone — Exceptionally, although notably noticeably, between 1198 and 1205 Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) appointed himself a medianus; a figure whose role was to elect a senator from among the Guelph and/or Ghibelline families who would remain loyal to the pontiff.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Commune of Rome

True or False: “The Commune of Rome's initial quest for autonomy was solely a reaction to Pope Innocent II's direct decree against the city.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The movement toward autonomy began earlier, evidenced by specialized courts in the 11th century and commercial privileges granted by Roman citizens.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Herrad of Landsberg — Historical peer (Born in 1130) (1130): 12th-century Alsatian nun, abbess, and author of the pictorial encyclopedia Hortus deliciarum.
• Emperor Go-Shirakawa — Historical peer (Born in 1127) (1127): Powerful, yet politically constrained emperor who maintained influence through the insei system.
• Minamoto no Yoshimitsu — Historical peer (Died in 1127) (1127): Samurai lord and progenitor of Daitō-ryū, a master of martial arts.
• Louis VIII of France — Historical peer (Born in 1187) (1187): King of France, known as The Lion, whose reign saw military campaigns and policy shifts.
• Tolui — Historical peer (Born in 1191) (1191): Prominent general and regent of the Mongol Empire, son of Genghis Khan.

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