Giuliano de' medici
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Birth of the Medici Family
The Medici story began around the 12th century when family members from the Tuscan village of Cafaggiolo emigrated to Florence. Through banking and commerce, the Medicis rose to become one of the most important families in Florence.
8 Incredible Roman Technologies
Their influence had declined by the late 14th century, however, when Salvestro de Medici (then serving as gonfaliere, or standard bearer, of Florence) was banished from the city in 1382 due to his oppressive policies and was forced to live in exile.
Cosimo de Medici
Another branch of the family, descended from Salvestro’s distant cousin Giovanni di Bicci de Medici, would begin the great Medici dynasty. Giovanni’s elder son, Cosimo de Medici (1389-1464), rose to political power in 1434 and ruled Florence as an uncrowned monarch for the rest of his life.
Known to history as Cosimo the Elder, he lived a spartan life but was a devoted patron of the humanities, supporting artists such as Lorenzo Ghiberti, Filippo Brunelleschi, Donatello and Fra Angelico. During Cosimo’s time, as well as
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Cosimo de' Medici
First ruler of the Medici political dynasty (1389–1464)
This article is about the founder of the Medici dynasty. For other uses, see Cosimo de' Medici (disambiguation).
Cosimo di Giovanni de' Medici (27 September 1389 – 1 August 1464) was an Italian banker and politician who established the Medici family as effective rulers of Florence during much of the Italian Renaissance. His power derived from his wealth as a banker and intermarriage with other rich and powerful families.[1] He was a patron of arts, learning, and architecture.[2] He spent over 600,000 gold florins[3][4] (approx. $500 million inflation adjusted) on art and culture, including Donatello'sDavid, the first freestanding nude male sculpture since antiquity.
Despite his influence, his power was not absolute; he was viewed by fellow Florentine politicians as first among equals rather than an autocrat.[5] Florence's legislative councils resisted his proposals throughout his political career, even sending him into exile from 1433 to 1434.
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House of Medici
Italian banking family and political dynasty
"Medici" redirects here. For other uses, see Medici (disambiguation).
"Medicis" redirects here. For the pharmaceutical company, see Medicis Pharmaceutical. For the CERN facility, see CERN-MEDICIS.
The House of Medici (MED-itch-ee, mə-DEE-chee;[4]Italian:[ˈmɛːditʃi]) was an Italian banking family and political dynasty that first consolidated power in the Republic of Florence under Cosimo de' Medici and his grandson Lorenzo "the Magnificent" during the first half of the 15th century. The family originated in the Mugello region of Tuscany, and prospered gradually in trade until it was able to fund the Medici Bank. This bank was the largest in Europe in the 1400s and facilitated the Medicis' rise to political power in Florence, although they officially remained citizens rather than monarchs until the 16th century.
In 1532, the family acquired the hereditary title Duke of Florence. In 1569, the duchy was elevated to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany after territorial expansion. The Medici ruled the Gr
House of Medici
Italian banking family and political dynasty
"Medici" redirects here. For other uses, see Medici (disambiguation).
"Medicis" redirects here. For the pharmaceutical company, see Medicis Pharmaceutical. For the CERN facility, see CERN-MEDICIS.
The House of Medici (MED-itch-ee, mə-DEE-chee;[4]Italian:[ˈmɛːditʃi]) was an Italian banking family and political dynasty that first consolidated power in the Republic of Florence under Cosimo de' Medici and his grandson Lorenzo "the Magnificent" during the first half of the 15th century. The family originated in the Mugello region of Tuscany, and prospered gradually in trade until it was able to fund the Medici Bank. This bank was the largest in Europe in the 1400s and facilitated the Medicis' rise to political power in Florence, although they officially remained citizens rather than monarchs until the 16th century.
In 1532, the family acquired the hereditary title Duke of Florence. In 1569, the duchy was elevated to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany after territorial expansion. The Medici ruled the Gr
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