Page "Pope Julius II" Paragraph 32

Despite an illegitimate daughter, rumors also surrounded Julius ' sexuality.

Casting himself in the role of a warrior inevitably created enemies for Julius — many of whom accused him of being a sodomite.

This was almost certainly done to discredit him but perhaps, in doing so, accusers were attacking a perceived weak point in their adversary's character.

Venetians — who were opposed to the pope's new militaristic policy — were amongst the most vocal, most notably the diarist Girolamo Priuli, and the historian Marino Sanudo.

But Catholic writers arbitarily reject the emphatic statement of the Duke of Bracciano, one of the leading Catholic nobles of the time. The reputation survived him, and the accusation was used without reservation by Protestant opponents in their polemics against " papism " and Catholic decadence.

Philippe de Mornay, even though he accused all Italians of being sodomites, added specifically: " This horror is ascribed to good Julius.

" These Protestant libels certainly lack credibility, just as do the Catholic libels which discussed John Calvin's purported conviction for sodomy.