“The Christians are doing what even the Turks never did!” In this episode, we explore the horrific aftermath of the 1527 Sack of Rome, one of the most devastating events in the city's history. As The Duke of Bourbon’s army fell upon Rome, we follow the perspective of of Pope Clement VII, who was Pope at the time of the Sack. We explore his role in the defense of the city (or lack thereof), and the impact his decisions. We also follow the hardships of Isabella d'Este, an Italian noblewoman who had chosen to stay behind and wait-out the siege. The army, composed mostly of German Landsknechts, committed countless atrocities against the civilian population, including mass murder, rape, and looting. The soldiers also targeted churches, stealing valuable artwork and destroying the most sacred artefacts in Christendom.  Through the use of eye-witness accounts, this episode offers rare, first-hand accounts of the chaos and suffering that follow a siege. Join us as we take a journey through the grizzly aftermath of the 1527 Sack of Rome. Help support the show on Patreon! Sources and Attributions on our website.