Capture of Rome and Declaration of the Roman Republic - February 20, 1798

On February 20, 1798, prominent French military leader Louis-Alexandre Berthier executed a pivotal maneuver during the French Revolutionary Wars by capturing Rome, which led to the proclamation of the Roman Republic. Berthier’s actions directly challenged the authority of the Papal States and marked a significant shift in the region’s political landscape.

Context and Prelude

During the French Revolutionary Wars, France sought to expand its revolutionary principles across Europe, displacing monarchies and traditional authorities. The Papal States, under the sovereignty of Pope Pius VI, represented a vestige of pre-revolutionary Europe and a challenge to the Republic’s ideals. Tensions between France and the Papal States had been brewing due to conflicting ideologies and territorial disputes.

Key Events on February 20, 1798

• Berthier’s Campaign: Louis-Alexandre Berthier, a skilled marshal and close associate of Napoleon Bonaparte, led French revolutionary troops into Rome. The occupation was part of a broader strategy to weaken the allies of France’s enemies during the ongoing conflict.

• Proclamation of the Roman Republic: Once inside Rome, Berthier proclaimed the establishment of the Roman Republic, effectively abolishing the political control of Pope Pius VI and transforming the territory into a sister republic aligned with French revolutionary ideals.

• Impact on the Papal Authority: The declaration significantly diminished the temporal powers of the Pope. Pius VI was taken prisoner and later exiled, fundamentally altering the geopolitical dynamics in Italy.

Aftermath and Significance

The establishment of the Roman Republic had profound repercussions:

• Diminished Papal Influence: The event marked the beginning of the end for the Papal States’ temporal authority, symbolizing a victory for revolutionary forces over traditional monarchical and religious powers.

• French Control and Influence: It strengthened the French Republic’s influence in Italy and further demonstrated the Republic’s capacity to promote revolutionary change beyond its borders.

• Napoleon’s Ascendancy: The success of Berthier, a key ally of Napoleon, reinforced the latter’s rising prominence and strategic acumen, further setting the stage for Napoleon’s subsequent conquests in Italy.

The capture of Rome and the declaration of the Roman Republic underscored the wide-reaching impacts of the French Revolutionary Wars, altering the political and religious landscape of Europe at the close of the 18th century.