Biography of Tommaso Campanella

Towards the modern thought

5 September 1568
21 may 1639
Giovanni Domenico Campanella, with Giordano Bruno and Bernardino Telesio, is considered to be one of pioneered modern philosophy; his thought is conventional historical symbol of the passage from medieval to modern times. Born in Calabria, a stylus, the 5 September 1568. Son of a poor Shoemaker and uneducated Campanella is a wunderkind. At thirteen he entered the Dominican order and arrives to take orders Dominicans not yet age 15, under the name of FRA ' Tommaso in honour of Thomas Aquinas.
Successfully completes studies yet law, albeit secretly authors such as Erasmus, Ficino and Glynis. Ideas about religion and interest in magical arts forced him to flee from Naples where he studied with the door. He finds himself under investigation by the ecclesiastical court thus leaves the convent to head to Rome first, then in Florence and then Padova, where he came into contact with Galileo.
Accused of heresy is locked up in jail but manages to return to his hometown; in 1599 tries to organize an insurrection against Spanish rule and lay the groundwork for a deep religious Reformation. On this occasion he was arrested and convicted; However escape from torture by pretending to be mad. Cannot avoid imprisonment where Bell remains locked up in Naples, for 27 years. in this long period of imprisonment continues to write, especially in philosophy. Composes a work dedicated to Galileo, whose Bell really appreciates the work and thinking.
In 1626 regains a portion of freedom: out of jail, but must remain under the control of the Holy Office in Rome. By order of Pope Urban VIII this constraint is later deleted; in 1633 is again accused of heresy and Spanish propaganda. He decided to take refuge in Paris where he found protection by Cardinal Richelieu. Is dedicated to the publication of his writings; funded by the King, he spends the rest of his life at the convent of Saint-Honoré. His latest work is a poem celebrating the birth of the future Louis XIV (Ecloga in portentosam Delphini nativitatem). One of his most famous works is "the city of the Sun", a work of utopian character in which, referring to Plato and the Utopia of Thomas more, describes an ideal city. Tommaso Campanella died in Paris on 21 may 1639.
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