# Nicholas III

> Pope from 1277 to 1280

**Wikidata**: [Q170859](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q170859)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Nicholas_III)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nicholas-iii

## Summary
Nicholas III was Pope from 1277 to 1280, serving as the head of the Catholic Church during a significant period in medieval history. Born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, he was a member of the influential Italian noble House of Orsini and played a key role in papal governance during his brief papacy.

## Biography
- Born: January 1, 1215
- Nationality: Papal States
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Serving as Pope from 1277 to 1280
- Employer(s): Catholic Church (as Pope)
- Field(s): Religious leadership, papal administration

## Contributions
Nicholas III served as Pope during the years 1277-1280, leading the Catholic Church during this period. His papacy was relatively short but significant in the context of medieval church history. As a member of the House of Orsini, he brought noble influence to the papacy during his tenure, contributing to the tradition of noble families exerting influence over church leadership.

## FAQs
**When was Nicholas III pope?**
Nicholas III served as Pope from January 1, 1277, until his death on August 22, 1280, making his papacy approximately three years and eight months long.

**What was Nicholas III's full name?**
Nicholas III's full name was Giovanni Gaetano Orsini, reflecting his noble Italian heritage as a member of the House of Orsini.

**Where was Nicholas III born?**
Nicholas III was born on January 1, 1215, though the specific location of his birth is not detailed in the source material.

**What noble family was Nicholas III from?**
Nicholas III was a member of the House of Orsini, an influential Italian noble family that produced several popes and significant political figures throughout history.

**How long did Nicholas III serve as Pope?**
Nicholas III served as Pope for approximately three years and eight months, from January 1, 1277, until his death on August 22, 1280.

## Why They Matter
Nicholas III's papacy, though brief, represented an important transition in the medieval papacy as a member of the House of Orsini. His tenure occurred during a critical period in church history when papal authority was being contested and redefined. As a noble pope, he brought a different perspective to papal governance, potentially influencing the relationship between secular and religious power during the late 13th century. His papacy contributed to the ongoing tradition of noble families exerting influence over the papacy, which had significant implications for the political landscape of Italy and Europe during that era.

## Notable For
- Pope from 1277 to 1280
- Member of the House of Orsini, an influential Italian noble family
- One of several popes from the Orsini family
- Served during a significant period in medieval church history
- Brief but notable papacy in the context of 13th-century Catholic leadership

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Nicholas III was born Giovanni Gaetano Orsini on January 1, 1215. He was a member of the House of Orsini, a prominent Italian noble family that would later produce several popes and significant political figures throughout history. His noble background would later influence his papacy and the political dynamics of the Catholic Church during his tenure.

### Papacy
Nicholas III served as Pope from January 1, 1277, until his death on August 22, 1280. His papacy lasted approximately three years and eight months, making it relatively brief by historical papal standards. During his time as Pope, he led the Catholic Church through a period of significant transition in medieval Europe.

### Family Connections
As a member of the House of Orsini, Nicholas III was connected to a powerful Italian noble family with extensive political influence. The Orsini family had a long history of involvement in Italian politics and the Catholic Church, with several members holding positions of power and influence. This noble heritage likely shaped Nicholas III's approach to papal governance and his relationships with other European powers.

### Death and Legacy
Nicholas III died on August 22, 1280, ending his papacy. His tomb is located in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, as indicated by the source material. Despite his relatively short papacy, Nicholas III's tenure as Pope represented an important moment in the history of the Catholic Church, particularly in the context of the relationship between noble families and papal authority during the late 13th century.

### Historical Context
Nicholas III's papacy occurred during a critical period in medieval history when the power and authority of the papacy were being contested and redefined. The late 13th century was a time of significant political and religious change in Europe, with various powers vying for influence and control. As a noble pope, Nicholas III's perspective and approach to governance would have been shaped by his noble background and the political realities of the time.

### Identification and Recognition
Nicholas III is identified by multiple identifiers across various library and academic databases, including VIAF ID 646164, WorldCat ID n2016173315, NTA ID 518/000103209, and numerous other system-specific identifiers. These identifiers reflect his significance as a historical figure and the extensive documentation of his papacy and life in academic and library collections worldwide.

### Cultural Representations
Nicholas III is represented in various cultural and artistic contexts, including frescoes depicting his donation of a church to Saints Peter and Paul, created around 1280. His coat of arms, "C o a Niccolo III.svg," and his tomb image in St. Peter's Basilica further demonstrate his lasting cultural and historical significance beyond his relatively brief papacy.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Genealogics
3. Catholic-Hierarchy.org
4. OPAC SBN
5. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Nicolaus%20)
8. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani
9. Library of Congress Control Number
10. Les Vies des meilleurs peintres, sculpteurs et architectes
11. Enciclopedia Treccani
12. Censimento nazionale delle edizioni italiane del XVI secolo
13. Dizionario di Storia
14. FactGrid
15. HMML Authority File