Note 121 — Chapter II · THE ORIGIN OF THE FLORENTINE COMMUNE.82

The "Annales," i., say that, "deo auctore, Florentini Monte Cascioli igne consumpserunt." The MS. really seems to run, de auctore, but this would be nonsense. Lami proposed the reading, des auctoritate, but this too would lack sense. The interpretation preferred and adopted by ourselves was suggested by Prof. Paoli. In combating the Empire and fighting for the Church, the Florentines believed themselves to be under Divine protection, and considering their adversaries as enemies of God, accordingly named them heretics and Paterini.