Thomas Campanella

Thomas Campanella (1568-1639), baptized Giovanni Domenico Campanella, was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, theologian, astrologer, and poet. Campanella was prosecuted by the Roman Inquisition for heresy in 1594 and was confined to house arest for two years. Accused of conspiring against the Spanish rulers of Calabria in 1599, he was tortured and sent to prison for 27 years. He wrote his most significant works during this time, including The City of the Sun, a utopia describing an egalitarian theocratic society where property is held in common.