2. Glory of Rome restored after 1527 raid

Roman citizens were terrorized in 1527 when the troops of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V destroyed much of their city. The raid was an attempt by Charles, who was king of Spain as well as Holy Roman emperor, to establish his dominance in a region that France was also trying to control. Since the 1527 looting, a remarkable rebuilding effort has occurred in Rome. Church leaders have appointed the region's finest painters and sculptors to design and decorate magnificent new structures for the city.

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