He ruled through much of the peak of the Italian Renaissance and the most significant member of the Medici family. Gaining access to politics, Lorenzo would face many burdensome and perplexing situations. Yet, with the power of Milan and Venice reinforced the Florentine position and wise economic actions refined the family finances. Florence thrived and prospered under Lorenzo’s control which drastically increased the wealth of the Medicis. Therefore, it was unpreventable that rival families would not hold on to resentment. The most remarkable competitor family was the Pazzi and they were the family who practically brought Lorenzo’s ruling to an end before it had hardly begun. On April 26, 1478, the Pazzi Conspiracy “was an unsuccessful plot to overthrow the Medici rulers of Florence; the most dramatic of all political opposition to the Medici family.” (“Pazzi Conspiracy”) The plot was led by members of the Pazzi family as well as Pope Sixtus IV. The assassination attempt was during a mass held in the Cathedral of Florence and they attacked Lorenzo. His brother, Giuliano was, unfortunately, got caught in the crossfire and was killed. Although, Lorenzo mercifully escaped with a stab wound. For the remaining years of Lorenzo's life, Florence remained stable and calm. He pursued a policy both of maintaining …show more content…
Cosimo skillfully manipulated Florence’s political organization to his family’s benefit. Cosimo never absorbs an official position as head of state, but, decided to remain a private citizen and run the business behind the scenes. It was beneficial for the family, having said that, he ruined his enemies while managing the affairs. “In 1433, Cosimo was arrested by those who opposed him, having been accused of attacking Florentine freedom”(“The Medici Family”). In due course, Cosimo was driven to exile for 10 years. The Medici family utilize a system of friends of friends. People who would do anything to stay close to the family. With his bribes and well-placed friends saved him from death. From Venice, he controlled a Florentine party working for his return. A year before they succeeded, he was finally invited back. During his reign of thirty years, he used his fortune to maintain control over the internal affairs which started to annihilate his opponents from the financial