When did the Sack of Rome occur?
The Sack of Rome occurred on the 6th of May 1527. The siege and subsequent destruction lasted until February 1528.
Common questions about Sack of Rome (1527)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who commanded the Imperial army during the Sack of Rome?
Duke Charles III of Bourbon commanded the Imperial army until his death on the 6th of May 1527. Philibert of Châlon, Prince of Orange, took command after Bourbon died.
How many Swiss Guards died defending the Vatican during the Sack of Rome?
Only 42 Swiss Guards survived the massacre out of 189 men. Their captain Kaspar Röist was killed in front of his wife during the final stand in the Teutonic Cemetery.
What happened to Pope Clement VII during the Sack of Rome?
Pope Clement VII took refuge in Castel Sant'Angelo and remained a prisoner for months. He surrendered on the 6th of June 1527 and agreed to pay a ransom of 400,000 ducati.
Why did the Imperial army withdraw from Rome in 1528?
The Imperial army withdrew in February 1528 due to a plague outbreak, starvation, and a lack of people to ransom. The city's food supply had run out and the army was decimated by disease.
How did the Sack of Rome affect the population of the city?
The population of Rome dropped from 55,000 to 10,000 after the sack. The city did not recover its population levels until around 1560.