Colonna

Roman family, known from ab. 1100. They were Ghi bel lines and rivals of the Orsini. Giovanni became cardinal 1216, and joined the Fifth Crusade. His nephew Giovanni, Abp. of Me ina 1255, wrote a History of the World. Cardinal Giacomo was councilor under Nicholas IV. Sciarra, one of the chiefs of the conspiracy against Boniface VIII., 1303, d. in exile ab. 1328. His brother Stephen, Count of Romagna ab. 1290, became chief of the Guelphs at Rome, and was killed in the conflict with Rienzi ab. 1350. Otho was elected Pope (Martin V.) 1417. His nephew Antonio became Prince of Salerno and Duke of Amalfi 1419. Eugene IV. declared war against Antonio and his brothers, who had seized the treasures of Martin V. Prosper, son of Antonio, fought for Charles VIII. and for Ferdinand of Spain, took Milan 1521, and d. 1523.