Final answer:
The subject is Galileo Galilei, known for discovering the law of the pendulum and other scientific principles. Later in life, he was put under house arrest for contradicting the Church's interpretation of the universe.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is Galileo Galilei, the Italian scientist whose groundbreaking scientific discoveries included the law of the pendulum and the observation that falling objects accelerate at fixed and predictable rates. Despite his contributions to modern science, Galileo was forced into house arrest during the latter part of his life for his theories and declarations that contradicted the Church's interpretation of the universe, featuring a geocentric model that had Earth at the center. This sparked a great conflict, now known as the Galileo Affair, which is a significant historical event that highlighted the tension between science and religious doctrine.
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