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factional conflict. Some of his loss of popularity arose from his support of the French,and the puritan rule, which he imposed, on the Florentines during his politicalleadership. Because of his critical sermons to the Papacy, he was tried by the Papalcommissioners for his utterance that a “pope who errs, does not represent the church”.Savonarola was excommunicated in 1497 and burnt in 1498 in the same square where,the year before, the people had, on his instructions, burnt their ‘vanities’” (Helm1961:72).Savonarola’s use of political power to restore morality, and his unpopular politicalalliance with France, cost him his prophetic role and eventually his life. The Popetook advantage of his miscalculations and since he did not have the support of his cityany more. Hollings concludes: “His place is among those who are given a powerbeyond their fellows, to love righteousness and hate iniquity. It was this force in himthat called forth the devotion of his followers; that attracted to him men of the worldand level-headed politicians; that has for ever enshrined his memory in the city that heloved” (Hollings 1959:90).Erasmus (1466 –1536) was an even greater moral teacher. His wide influence wasrated alongside that of St. Thomas Aquinas of the thirteenth and Voltaire of theeighteenth centuries. Erasmus, a man of humble beginnings, struggled through ascholarly life of poverty, to become one of the most influential thinkers of his timeand beyond his lifetime. He was influenced by the Brethren of Common Life, whoseemphasis was placed “on simplicity of thought, behaviour and worship and onessentials rather than on outward ceremonial or hair-splitting argument” (Helm1961:31). One of the examples of their teaching is given by Helm from the Imitationof Christ by Thomas a’ Kempis (1380-1471) when he rhetorically asked, “of whatadvantage is it to dispute profoundly about the doctrine of the Trinity, if by your lackof humility you are all the while displeasing the Trinity?” (Helm 1961:31). Erasmusadopted this style of teaching and preaching, and became popular as a thinker of histime and a reference for later years.Erasmus had studied Greek and Latin, and used his skill to teach and translate texts.He challenged the emphasis on symbolism in ritualistic worship of the relics of thesaints at the expense of the mind and gospel tenet communicated and lived by the55