During the last three years he had been engaged as Master of the Ordnance under the Republic.

His leave of absence was signed upon the 15th of May 1507.
Meanwhile the people of Bologna were already planning revolution.

The Bentivogli retained a firm hereditary hold on their affections, and the government of priests is never popular, especially among the nobles of a state.

Michelangelo writes to his brother Giovan Simone (May 2) describing the bands of exiles who hovered round the city and kept its burghers in alarm: "The folk are stifling in their coats of mail; for during four days past the whole county is under arms, in great confusion and peril, especially the party of the Church." The Papal Legate, Francesco Alidosi, Cardinal of Pavia, took such prompt measures that the attacking troops were driven back.

He also executed some of the citizens who had intrigued with the exiled family.