Medici family

Medici family

A famous family in Florence, Italy. The most important representatives are Cosimo Medici and Lorenzo Medici.

The ancestors of this family were originally farmers in Tuscany, and later became rich in industry and commerce. In the 13th century, he became a noble and participated in the Florentine government. In 1378, Salvestro of this family was elected president of the Florence Municipal Council, but after the collapse of the elected government in 1381, he was expelled from Florence. Giovanni Medici restored prosperity to the Medici family, his bank made huge profits, and he became the richest man in Florence. His eldest son, Cosimo Medici, took over the papal finances on behalf of the Medici Bank. In 1433, due to the failure of the war against Lucca, Cosimo was sentenced to 10 years of exile, but was recalled by the new Council of Elders the following year. He relied on popular support to expel the Albizzi family. In 1434, Cosimo established a tyrant in Florence and became the uncrowned lord of Florence. In 1469, during the reign of Cosimo's grandson Lorenzo, Pope Sixtus planned to murder his brother Giuliano during Easter Mass in the cathedral. Lorenzo gained popular support in an extremely critical situation, foiled the Pope's conspiracy, forced King Ferdinand I of Naples to surrender, and safeguarded Florence's status. After that, Lorenzo established his own royal body, the Council of Seventy, to replace the old Hundred. To bring real stability to the government. In 1494, France invaded Florence, and Piero, who succeeded Lorenzo, was expelled. In 1512, Piero's son Lorenzo relied on the support of the Spanish army to resume his rule in Florence. The family was expelled again in 1527, but returned to Florence three years later under the protection of the Holy Roman Empire's troops. In 1532 Florence became a duchy. In 1567, Cosimo of the family was awarded the title of Grand Duke, and two years later the Grand Duchy of Tuscany was established as Cosimo I. Florence became the capital of the principality, and France and the country existed in name only. The Medici family's rule in Florence lasted until 1737, after which it was ruled by Francis of Lorraine.

The Medici family encouraged culture and collected a large number of books and manuscripts, which were hidden in a villa called Plato's Academy and open to the public. To famous artists such as Michelangelo. With their help and encouragement, Florence became the birthplace and center of the European Renaissance movement, with outstanding achievements in poetry, painting, sculpture, architecture, and music. The research on history, philosophy, and political theory also ranked among the forefront of Italian states