Hl. Hieronymus

1606

Flight from Rome to the Colonna estates and Naples

His patrons could no longer protect him, and Caravaggio fled first to the Colonna family's estates south of Rome and then to Naples, where Costanza Colonna Sforza kept a palace. Beyond the reach of the Roman authorities, the most famous painter in Rome became the most famous in Naples.

29 May 1606

Kills Ranuccio Tomassoni

In a brawl or a sword duel at Campo Marzio Caravaggio killed — possibly unintentionally — Ranuccio Tomassoni; rumour spoke of a gambling debt over a game of pallacorda, or of jealousy over the courtesan Fillide Melandroni. The artist was sentenced to beheading and an open bounty was decreed: anyone who recognised him could legally carry out the sentence.

1607

Sails for Malta

Unexpectedly, Caravaggio set off for Valletta, the capital of Malta, still seeking a papal pardon. His arrival was facilitated by Fabrizio Sforza Colonna, a Knight of Malta and general of the Order's galleys.

late August 1608

Arrest in Malta and escape from prison

Probably after yet another brawl — this time with an aristocratic knight, who was seriously wounded after the door of a house was battered down — the Knights imprisoned Caravaggio in Valletta, but he managed to escape.

1608

Escapes to Syracuse and Mario Minniti

Having escaped from the Maltese prison, Caravaggio sailed to Sicily, to Syracuse, where he was helped by his old friend Mario Minniti, who years before had quarrelled with the artist, married and left for Sicily.

by December 1608

Expelled from the Order of Malta

The Order expelled the fugitive 'as a foul and rotten member', the formal phrase used in all such cases.