Lucilio Vanini

Lucilio Vanini (1585 – February 9, 1619) was an Italian free-thinker, who in his works styled himself Giulio Cesare Vanini. He was born at Taurisano, near Lecce, and studied philosophy and theology at Rome. After his return to Lecce he applied himself to the physical studies which had come into vogue with the Renaissance. Like Giordano Bruno, he attacked scholasticism. Vanini resembles Bruno, not only in his wandering life but also in his anti-Christian ideas. From Naples he went to Padua, where he came under the influence of the Alexandrist Pomponazzi, whom he styled his divine master. At Padua he studied law, and was ordained a priest. Subsequently he led a roving life in France, Switzerland and the Low Countries, supporting himself...