 Born at Florence, his parents were common folk, and he himself lacked higher education.But he attached himself with fanatical zeal to Savonarola, and, by diligent attendance at his sermons and zealous study of his writings, acquired a wide but superficial theological knowledge.Peter preached to the people in the public squares of Florence and, during the lifetime of Savonarola and after his death, he propagated secretly some revolutionary doctrines.