Download Italian Renaissance

Florence: Birthplace of the Renaissance
The Renaissance began in the Italian city-state of Florence. Florence
had grown rich from trade, and its wealthy families could afford to
support scholars, writers and artists. Founded by the Romans,
Florence also had a legacy of ancient Roman civilization.
In the 1400s, the rich and powerful Medici family ruled Florence.
Much of their wealth supported thinkers and artists whose works
made Florence the birthplace of the Renaissance. But envious rivals
were plotting to destroy the Medici. On April 26, 1478, Sunday
services had just begun in Florence’s magnificent cathedral. Armed
men surrounded and stabbed Giuliano de Medici to death. His
brother Lorenzo fought free of the attackers and escaped into a
nearby room and bolted the door.
The reason for this attack lay in an old feud between the Medicis and another
wealthy family of Florence, the Pazzis. The Medici family had originally made their
money in banking. Like many rich families, they married their sons and daughters
to members of other wealthy families, hoping to assure that merged money would
grow. In fact, the Medici family was related to the Pazzi family. Lorenzo’s sister
Bianca was married to a Pazzi.
Lorenzo (called “the Magnificent”), Giuliano and Bianca
were the grandchildren of Cosimo de Medici. In his time,
Cosimo was probably the wealthiest man in Europe. An
important way the Medicis used their great wealth, was as
patrons of the arts, people who provide economic support
for artists. They hired architects to design huge houses,
both in Florence and in the surrounding countryside. They
paid artists to design costly objects for their homes and to
paint their portraits. They employed musicians to compose
music and entertain at their parties. They donated art to
the city. In fact, Medicis for several generations helped to advance the cultural
movement that we call the Renaissance.
In Renaissance Florence, having great wealth also
meant having political power. The Medici family had
this power in Florence off and on for about 300 years.
Florence was a republic, a form of government in
which citizens elect their leaders. Members of
Florence’s ruling executive council usually served a
short term in office, sometimes only two months. The
goal was to prevent any one person from having too much influence.
In reality, however, government in Florence was based on a system of patronage.
This meant powerful families could appoint family members and friends to jobs and
grant other favors. Powerful families could also prevent other ambitious families
from gaining a foothold in government.
Bribes, scandals and spies often went along with political power in Florence. The
Medici family were effective at using power as they were spending money on art.
This link between power, money and the arts was vital to the development of the
Renaissance. Throughout the Italian city-states, powerful ruling families used their
wealth to be patrons of the arts.
The Pazzi family was also in the banking business. They had many other interests,
including shipping and investments in the cloth trade. They wanted more power,
and the Medicis stood in their way. Along with some other Medici rivals – including
an archbishop – the Pazzi family decided to murder Giuliano and Lorenzo in church.
The plot failed because Lorenzo escaped and lived. The
conspirators ran away. But Medici supporters in the
government demanded and got swift justice. The
conspirators were caught and hanged in public. Lorenzo
the Magnificent held on to his power in Florence until his
death in 1492. He is buried in the Medici Chapel in the
Church of San Lorenzo in Florence. The chapel was
designed by Michelangelo, one of the Renaissance’s
greatest artists.
The Medicis of
Florence