Pico's Nine Hundred Theses Affair

Timeline

1. 1486Rome · RomePico had 900 propositions drawn from ancient Greek, scholastic, Islamic, and Kabbalistic traditions printed by Ulrich Scinzenzeler, published in Rome on Dec 7, 1486, and invited scholars to public debate after Epiphany 1487. He also drafted an opening oration later called the Oration on the Dignity of Man.
2. 1487Roman Curia · RomeInnocent VIII cancelled the public debate and appointed a commission to review the theses. From February to March 1487, seven were judged condemnable and six suspect, totaling thirteen theses charged. Pico attended discussions at first but was excluded from later sessions.
3. 1487Rome · RomePico published his Apologia on May 31, which the curia treated as disobedience. Innocent VIII opened inquisitorial proceedings in June and in August issued a bull condemning all 900 theses. After signing a document of submission Pico still left Rome, was briefly arrested in France, and later returned to Tuscany through Medici mediation.