Giordano Bruno: What Led The Renowned Friar and Astrologer to a Burning Stake?

A monumental statue of Giordano Bruno stands in the heart of Rome as a reminder of the remorse of the people who accused him and sentenced him to death. Although he may look like a monk dressed in a hooded coat, his clothes are those of a mysterious man, perhaps even a magician. Despite many works related to Christianity suggesting something different, there is conclusive evidence that shows Giordano Bruno was an influential male witch and a magician that terrified Christians.

A Man Whose Mind Terrified the Church

Giordano Bruno was born on January 1st, 1548 in Nola as Filippo Bruno. His full name in Latin was Iordanus Brunus Nolanus. He was very young when he discovered his passion for science. As a philosopher, cosmological theorist, mathematician, and poet, he was very controversial for the people of his time.

The earliest depiction of Bruno is an engraving published in 1715 in Germany. (Public Domain)

Giordano believed that a bright mind could change the world. Apart from this, he was Neoplatonist and followed Renaissance Hermeticism and Averroes. Bruno wasn’t interested in an average quiet life, but he wanted to explore, analyze, and understand many issues that were forbidden by the Catholic church.