Moses typus papae in the decree Moyses vir Dei (1439). Part II: Its Roots in Theocratic Doctrine

Abstract

This essay aims to examine the pro-papal treatises of Pietro del Monte and Juan de Torquemada, to highlight how the typological application to the pope of the Moses’ model testifies to a slow ideological transformation of his power: the papacy revised his own universalistic projection by adapting it to the new context of European powers, and the figure of the Pontiff split into two natures: one always spiritual and priestly, the other temporal and princely, with the construction of an ecclesiastical principality. In order to understand the specifics of this ideological evolution, the paper focuses however on its elements of continuity with earlier theocratic treatises. By emphasizing the fact that the typological interpretations of Moses as a papal figure are largely dependent on authors such as Aegidius Romano, James of Viterbo and Augustine of Ancona, the paper aims to highlight on what ideological basis this development was grafted and on what aspects it pivoted. Thus, a new picture emerges of the theoretical conditions of possibility of the transformation of papal sovereignty on the model of Moses, based on the extraordinary theological-political elaboration of Aegidius Romanus, who had thematized the absolute supremacy of the pontiff as a reserve of power of exception to every law and order he posits; thus who had stated the legitimacy of the extraordinary use of the material sword in order to defend the spiritual good.