Vita di Donna Olympia Maldachini Che Governo la Chiesa. Durante il Ponteficato d'Innocentio X. Doppo l'anno 1644. Sino all anno 1655. Scritta Dall' Abbate Gualdi. Nuouamente ristampata, con un aggiunta considerabile. Ragusa. Appresso Giulio Giuli. MDCLXXVI [1676]
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An expanded edition of Abbot Gualdi's [aka Gregorio Leti] scandalous biography of Olimpia Maidalchini Pamphilij, the notorious sister-in-law of Pope Innocent X, who earned the nickname 'Pope Olimpia I' due to her remarkable influence over the Papacy.
After her first marriage to the wealthy Paolo Nini, supposedly arranged to avoid becoming a nun, Olimpia Maidalchini (1592-1657) married Pamphilio Pamphilij in 1612, who was the brother of the future Pope Innocent X. Leti suggests that she developed a close relationship with her brother-in-law and assisted him in becoming a cardinal before allegedly bribing the conclave to elect him as Pope.
During his papacy, she played a significant role in political and economic matters, granting audiences with the Pope only after consulting with her. The Vita di Donna Olimpia forms the foundation of enduring myths that Olimpia was the Pope's mistress and that, in the weeks leading up to his death, she removed substantial sums of money from his chambers, concealing his passing for several days while continuing to transfer valuables to her own palace
The book was banned by the Index Librorum Prohibitorum in 1667.
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Size: 90 x 156 mm (approx.)
Condition:
12mo, [xxiv], [1-502].
Vellum darkened, most significantly to the spine which is dulled. Retains a tooled morocco label to the spine which reads 'Vita di Donna Olimpia'. Small sticker attached to the foot of the spine. Bookplate to front pastedown of the 'Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet'. Early ink ownership inscription to ffep of 'Rob Worsley' with a date on the verso blank of 1728. Foxing throughout the text block. Final blank torn lacking most of the leaf. Complete.
