Nepotism and the Papal Curia between the Eleventh and the Fifteenth Centuries

The article explores the historical phenomenon of nepotism within the Papal Curia between the 11th and 15th centuries, analyzing its origins, development, functions, and transformations over time. Far from being merely a symptom of corruption, nepotism is presented as a complex and deeply rooted practice embedded in the social and institutional framework of the medieval and Renaissance Church. The paper encourages viewing nepotism not through a moralistic lens but as a historically contingent and socially embedded practice that reveals much about the governance and structure of the Church over time. The study draws a significant comparison between two historical moments: the 13th century and the early Renaissance (1417–1520). In the 13th century, nepotism was often a practical necessity due to the limited administrative capacity of the Church. Cardinals and popes relied on family networks for governance, military support, and curial control. This period saw a strong Roman and Lazio-based aristocratic influence within the Curia. In contrast, during the Renaissance, papal power had become more centralized and the Curia more bureaucratized. While nepotism increased in scale, it lost some of its administrative functionality. Instead, it was increasingly used to consolidate dynastic ambitions, especially among popes who sought to elevate their families to princely status or to secure the papacy for relatives. This phase, known as “great nepotism,” reached its apex with popes like Sixtus IV and Alexander VI.