Orazio Ludovisi
Orazio Ludovisi was an Italian nobleman, military commander and patrician of Bologna. During his brother's reign as Pope Gregory XV, he became Commander of the Papal Armies, Roman Noble and 1st Duke of Fiano and Zagarolo.
Early life
Ludovisi was born in 1561, son ofPompeo Ludovisi, Count of Samoggia, Patrician of Bologna, Podestà of Loiano, and wife Camilla Bianchini. He was the third of seven children. His siblings were Ludovico Ludovisi, married to Isotta Oldofredi, Girolamo Ludovisi, first husband of Laura Bianca Angelelli, Cardinal Alessandro Ludovisi, the third of seven children, Virginia Ludovisi, married to Marcantonio Angelelli and Ippolita Ludovisi, married firstly to Giulio Paltroni and married secondly to Giasone Visani.
He married Lavinia Albergati, daughter of Fabio Albergati, Patrician of Bologna, and wife Flaminia Bentivoglio, and the two had a number of children including:
- Niccolò Ludovisi, who inherited his titles
- Ludovico Ludovisi, who was made Cardinal by Pope Gregory XV
- Ippolita Ludovisi, who married firstly Giorgio Aldobrandini, Prince of Rossano, Count of Sarsina and Meldola, and was mother of Olimpia Aldobrandini, and married secondly as his first wife Flavio Orsini, Duke of Bracciano.
Papacy of Gregory XV
In February 1621 Ludovisi's brother, Alessandro Ludovisi, was elected to the papal throne as Pope Gregory XV. A month later, on 13 March 1621, Ludovisi moved to Rome and was immediately appointed General of the Roman Catholic Church and Commander of the Papal Armies by his brother. Setting a precedent for his successor, the Pope also purchased the comune of Fiano from the House of Sforza for 200,000 Écu and Ludovisi was duly appointed Duke of Fiano and also Duke of Zagarolo.During his brother's reign, Ludovisi and his wife were patrons of the Bolognese painter Giovanni Valesio.