The Medici Family
The Medici family influenced politics in Italy for 300 years and can be traced back to the end of the 12th century. They belonged to the aristocratic class and not nobility, the family gained its fortune through banking and commerce and acquired great wealth by the 13th century. The first Medici to get notable political influence was Salvestro de’ Medici who was the gonfaliere during the 14th century, he led a revolt against the ciompi and became the dictator of the city, his ruthless regime led to his banishment in 1382.
The family fortune fell until it was restored by Salvestro’s distant cousin Giovanni di Bicci de’ Medici who made the Medici the wealthiest family in Italy. With this wealth the family’s political …show more content…
Upon their return Piero’s younger brother Giuliano reigned from 1512-1516, and became prince; he was followed by Lorenzo son of Piero, who was named Duke of Urbino by Pope Leo X, who was a Medici and son of Lorenzo the Magnificent. When Lorenzo Duke of Urbino died, Giulio, the illegitimate son of Giuliano the brother of Lorenzo the Magnificent, ascended and ruled the city but abdicated in 1523 to his illegitimate son Alessandro in order to become Pope Clement VII and Alessandro became the new Duke of Florence.
In 1537 Alessandro is murdered, his death causes the leadership of the family to be transferred to Cosimo I who ascended the throne that same year at the age of 18. Cosimo I was not descendant of Cosimo il Vecchio but from his brother. Cosimo I was highly cultured but politically ruthless and under his rule Tuscany became an absolutist nation state. Cosimo promoted the arts, the Tuscan economy, and Navy. He founded the Accademia della Crusca, the Accademia del Disegno, renewed the university of Pisa, and conquered Siena and
The Medici family influenced politics in Italy for 300 years and can be traced back to the end of the 12th century. They belonged to the aristocratic class and not nobility, the family gained its fortune through banking and commerce and acquired great wealth by the 13th century. The first Medici to get notable political influence was Salvestro de’ Medici who was the gonfaliere during the 14th century, he led a revolt against the ciompi and became the dictator of the city, his ruthless regime led to his banishment in 1382.
The family fortune fell until it was restored by Salvestro’s distant cousin Giovanni di Bicci de’ Medici who made the Medici the wealthiest family in Italy. With this wealth the family’s political …show more content…
Upon their return Piero’s younger brother Giuliano reigned from 1512-1516, and became prince; he was followed by Lorenzo son of Piero, who was named Duke of Urbino by Pope Leo X, who was a Medici and son of Lorenzo the Magnificent. When Lorenzo Duke of Urbino died, Giulio, the illegitimate son of Giuliano the brother of Lorenzo the Magnificent, ascended and ruled the city but abdicated in 1523 to his illegitimate son Alessandro in order to become Pope Clement VII and Alessandro became the new Duke of Florence.
In 1537 Alessandro is murdered, his death causes the leadership of the family to be transferred to Cosimo I who ascended the throne that same year at the age of 18. Cosimo I was not descendant of Cosimo il Vecchio but from his brother. Cosimo I was highly cultured but politically ruthless and under his rule Tuscany became an absolutist nation state. Cosimo promoted the arts, the Tuscan economy, and Navy. He founded the Accademia della Crusca, the Accademia del Disegno, renewed the university of Pisa, and conquered Siena and