[KnightoftheRosary]

So I'm doing a reserch paper for political Philosophy and I come across this.
Pornocracy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Pornocracy is a term that has been used to mean government or domination of government by prostitutes.

In history, it refers specifically to a period of papacy in the early tenth century, beginning with Pope Sergius III from 904 and ending with the death of John XII in 963. During this period, the popes were under the influence of corrupt women (though not necessarily prostitutes), especially Theodora and her daughter, Marozia. This period is also called the Rule of the Harlots.

It is popularly believed that Marozia was the concubine of Sergius III and the mother of Pope John XI. She was also accused of having had John X murdered (who had originally been nominated for office by Theodora) in order to secure the election of her current favourite, Leo VI.

Theodora and Marozia undoubtedly held great sway over the popes during this time. In particular, as political rulers of Rome they had effective control over the election of new popes. However, it is debatable whether all of the allegations that have been made against them can be substantiated. Much of the evidence for the time comes from the histories of Liutprand, bishop of Cremona. Liutprand took part in the Assembly of Bishops which deposed John XII and was a political enemy of Rome; he is described by the Catholic Encyclopedia as “ever a strong partisan and frequently unfair towards his adversaries”. The worst excesses of the time might be considered no more than eclectic gossip.

Contents [showhide]
1 List of popes during the pornocracy

2 List of most sexually active popes

3 References

4 External links

[edit]
List of popes during the pornocracy
Pope Sergius III (904-911), alleged lover of Marozia
Pope Anastasius III (911-913)
Pope Lando (913-914)
Pope John X (914-928), alleged killed by Marozia
Pope Leo VI (928-928)
Pope Stephen VIII (928-931)
Pope John XI (931-935), alleged son of Sergius III and Marozia
Pope Leo VII (936-939)
Pope Stephen IX (939-942)
Pope Marinus II (942-946)
Pope Agapetus II (946-955)
Pope John XII (955-963)
[edit]
List of most sexually active popes
Pope Sergius III arranged for Pope Anastasius III (his illegitimate child) to become Pope after him.
Pope John XII turned St. John Lateran into a brothel and was accused of adultery, fornication, and incest.
Pope Leo VIII died during an act of adultery.
Benedict IX, one of the youngest ever Popes, grew up "in unrestrained license, and shocked the sensibilities even of a dull and barbarous age."
Antipope John XXIII. Elected Pope to end the Great Schism, later admitted to incest, adultery, fornication, and other crimes ("two hundred maids, matrons and widows, including a few nuns, fell victims to his brutal lust").
Pope Alexander VI kept many mistresses, and prostitutes were called to dance naked before the assembly, after which prizes were offered to those men who, in the opinion of the spectators, managed to copulate with the greatest number of prostitutes.
[edit]
References
Church and Society in a Crisis Age: Tenth and Eleventh Century Europe by Harlie Kay Gallatin. Online (http://falcon.sbuniv...13le25.html#POR )
The Catholic Encyclopedia entry on Liutprand of Cremona (http://www.newadvent...then/09313a.htm )

Thank God that stage is over!
Peace and Blessings
-KOTR-

[KnightoftheRosary]

You can now say you can be both learned and scandalized at the same time.
-KOTR-

[KnightoftheRosary]

so nobody elese found this interesting?

[Krush2k2]

wow, so scandalous. How come popes like this were elected to the highest office of Jesus Christs' church?

[popestpiusx]

What are you wanting? There are plenty more stories if you are looking for them. Are you wanting more info on this particular period of Papal unseemliness or what?

[XIX]

Now, there is a source of insecurity.

I mean, it must have been exceedingly difficult for a Catholic to live during the times towards the first half of the 10th century. What does anybody else hahve to say about this?

[popestpiusx]

Krush2k2, on Dec 3 2004, 05:21 PM, said:

wow, so scandalous. How come popes like this were elected to the highest office of Jesus Christs' church?

Because being elected Pope does not remove one's free will nor concupiscence.

[popestpiusx]

XIX,
The difference between then and now is that the vast majority of people then probably never knew it was happening or found out like ten years later. Now, we find out 15 minutes before it happens. Mass Media.

It would have been hard times, but not as hard as if the same thing happened today.

[popestpiusx]

The fascinating thing is that despite all the moral failings and the obvious motivation to "change things", they never touched the doctrines (or really even the disciplines) of Holy Mother Church.