Seized by the Signory, he was tortured and forced to confess that he was not a prophet, and on May 22, 1498, was condemned, with two companions, to be hung.

After the speedy execution of the sentence, which the sufferers met calmly, their bodies were burnt.

All effects of Savonarola's career, political, moral, and religious, shortly disappeared.
Alexander was followed by a Rovere who took the name of Julius II.
[Sidenote: Julius II 1503-13] Notwithstanding his advanced age this pontiff proved one of the most vigorous and able {19} statesman of the time and devoted himself to the aggrandizement, by war and diplomacy, of the Papal States.

He did not scruple to use his spiritual thunders against his political enemies, as when he excommunicated the Venetians.
[Sidenote: 1509] He found himself at odds with both the Emperor Maximilian and Louis XII of France, who summoned a schismatic council at Pisa.

[Sidenote: 1511] Supported by some of the cardinals this body revived the legislation of Constance and Basle, but fell into disrepute when, by a master stroke of policy, Julius convoked a council at Rome.