Orsini | |
---|---|
Black noble family | |
Parent family | Bobone/Orsini |
Country | Papal States County palatine of Cephalonia and Zakynthos Despotate of Epirus Grand Duchy of Tuscany Two Sicilies Kingdom of Italy |
Current region | Italy |
Founded | c. 600 A.D. |
Founder | Cajo Orso Orsini |
Current head | Domenico Napoleone Orsini, Duke of Gravina |
Titles | |
Motto | Senza rimproveri (Italian for 'Without reproach') |
The House of Orsini is an Italian noble family that was one of the most influential princely families in medieval Italy and Renaissance Rome. Members of the Orsini family include five popes:[1] Stephen II (752–757), Paul I (757–767), Celestine III (1191–1198), Nicholas III (1277–1280),[2] and Benedict XIII (1724–1730). The family also included 34 cardinals, numerous condottieri, and other significant political and religious figures.[3] The Orsini are part of the Black nobility who were Roman aristocratic families who supported the Popes in the governance of the Papal States.