\paperw4260 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \qj \f1 \fs24 \b Julius II (1503-1513)\par
\b0 Born in the province of Savona in 1443, Giuliano della Rovere was elected Pope i
n 1503. A man of forthright temper, audacious and effective in making his plans and energetic in enacting them, he continuously defended and exalted the authority of the papacy and protected its political and cultural interests. Julius II was an excellen
t governor of Rome, to which he brought order and peace while sponsoring works of renovation and improvement. He promoted a notable increase in agriculture and sanitation and introduced monetary reform. For the glorification of the Church, he pursued an
intense policy of patronage. Julius II kept up direct contact with the most celebrated writers and artists of the day. Some of the works he commissioned included the painting of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, the painting of the papal apartments by
Raphael and the project for the new St. PeterÆs, entrusted to Bramante. He collected important ancient statues in the papal gardens, such as the Apollo, the Laocoon, and the Venus of Cnidos. He also had the new city street called Via Giulia built. Despit
e appearances, however, the political actions of Julius II were less successful. After various wars, he succeeded only in substituting French dominance with Spanish. However, the fundamental failing of his reign lay elsewhere. He neglected the religious
reform of the Church and used up his wealth of energy in pursuing what was at most a part but never the final goal of his apostolic ministry.\par