RIENZI, re-en'ze, Cola di, Roman popular leader: b. about 1313; d. 8 Oct. 1354. The son of an innkeeper, he became imbued with a pas sionate desire to re-establish the glory of an cient Rome on the ruins of the oligarchy under whose rule the people suffered. In 1343 he went to the pope at Avignon, as the representative of the Roman people, and entreated him to return to Rome and end the misrule of the nobles. The pope made Rienzi apostolic notary, and the lat ter returned to Rome, where he began the organ ization of a widespread movement for the over throw of the aristocracy. On 20 May 1347, Rienzi summoned an assembly of the people at the capitol, and there proposed a new constitu tion for the state, providing for the arming of the people and the garrisoning of the walls by them, the reform of justice and the equitable disL tributing of taxes. He became head of the new republic with the title of tribune of the people, and by means of the popular levies forced the: nobles to leave the city. Rienti's plans chided not merely the restoration of the mu; nicipal liberties of Rome, but the ment of the ancient Roman state, and to that end he invited the Italian cities to send repre sentatives to Rome for the consideration of the welfare of Italy. Though few cities responded, Rienzi, carried away by power and his own elo quence, caused himself to be tribune. 15 August, and bestowed the Roman citizenship on all inhabitants of Italy. The pope's hostility, however, was aroused by Rienzes vainglorious attempt to act as arbitrator in the dispute for the Imperial throne that was then' in progress, and he stirred up the Roman nobles against him. The nobles were defeated, but, Rienzi,
dazzled by success, began to play the tyrant, and a second insurrection compelled him to flee the city (15 December). Later he went to Bohemia to secure the aid of Emperor Charles IV fot the execution of his • plans. The emperoti handed Rienzi over to'Pope Innocent VI, who, however, recognized how useful the tribune might be to him in crushing the Roman nobility and therefore sent him to Rome with Cardinal Albornoz in 1354. Rienzi's popularity was still Feat and he easily regained power; once more, however, he fell a victim to excess, verpetrated acts of outrage and oppression, and aroused the hatred of the people. An insurrection, stirred up by the nobles of the house of Colonna and Sarelli, broke out On 8 Oct. 1354. The mob stormed •the capitol, and Rienzi, seized as he was escaping in disguise, was murdered, and his body dragged through the streets. The career of Rienu is the subject of one of Bulwer Lytton's novels, (Rienzi) (1835) and of Wagner's opera, (Rienzi,) first produced at Dresden, 20 Oct. 1842. Consult Pappencordt, di Rienzi mind seine Zeit) (1841); Auriac, historique stir Nicole Rienzi) (1: ) ; Rodocanachi, di Rienzi)