PEPOLI, FAMILY. - The first P. of whom there is certain record is the blessed NICCOLÒ,
Franciscan, who lived in the 13th century; but only a little later did this family begin to intervene in the troubled affairs of the Commune of Bologna, leading the faction of the Geremei and aiming to obtain the lordship in the early 14th century: the attempt was however cut short by riots, which led to the flight of the P. from the city.
In 1337 TADDEO P., having skillfully insinuated himself among the factions and taking advantage of the failure of the work of John of Bohemia and Bertrand du Pouget, obtained to be acclaimed lord during the general Parliament of the Commune: he then assumed the significant title of conservator of peace and justice and even succeeded in obtaining the vicariate from Benedict XII. Taddeo's sons, GIACOMO and GIOVANNI, could not resist the Visconti advance and, abandoned by Hector of Durafort, general of the States of the Church, ceded the lordship to Giovanni Visconti for 200,000 florins, returning to private life. In the 15th century three P. were professors at Bologna; during the 16th century, UGO P. served as a soldier with Giovanni de' Medici and in the 18th century there were notable literary works by CORNELIO and ALESSANDRO (1757-96), the latter of whom also founded a printing house in Venice. In the 19th century are remembered: CARLO (1796-1881), for having participated in the risings of '51, together with the Napoleonids and for having been a deputy in the Roman Consulta of '48; ANNA (1783-1844), sister of the preceding and author of important works aimed at the education of women; GIOACCHINO NAPOLEONE (1825-81), a fighter in the papal army of '48, a collaborator of Cavour in making Napoleon III favorably disposed to Piedmontese policy, minister of Agriculture with Rattazzi (1862).