Title: Investigating the Treatment of Sodomites in Renaissance Florence Under Different Political Systems
Department: History
Description: In its time, Renaissance Florence was well-known throughout Europe for how common sodomy was. Also during the Renaissance, Florence experienced different forms of government, including republicanism, oligarchy, and theocracy. This project will investigate whether, depending on the government it existed under, Florence was more likely to be tolerant of sodomy and other homosexual behavior. By extension, this project will show whether the Renaissance - often portrayed as a new, enlightened age - had any effect on the treatment of sodomites. This research is significant because it suggests whether certain governmental types have historically been more or less oppressive towards "abnormal" behavior. As homosexuality has become more acceptable in Western society, scholarly interest in homosexual behavior of the past has increased. Renaissance Florence is usually seen as a progenitor of modern, liberal Western society, so it is worth discovering how true this really is and seeing how open-minded the city really was in the past.
Hometown: Montclair, New Jersey
Advisor: Lu Ann Homza
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