Medici family tree. History of the Medici family

During the early Middle Ages, the Medici had small plots of land in the Mugello Valley (along the Sieva River) near Florence. In the 12th and 13th centuries. several of their representatives moved to Florence, and by 1300 the Medici were part of the government and the guild of money changers. In the 14th century There were many Medici in Florence: in 1373, one of the representatives of the family lamented the fact that, as a result of the plague epidemic, only 50 adult men remained in the family. It is not surprising that there were noticeable differences in property between them: some prospered and moved into leading roles in the city, others were shopkeepers and artisans. However, even the wealthiest Medici, although they sometimes married members of the social and economic elite, did not rise in wealth or status to the level of famous banking and trading houses of the time, such as Bardi or Peruzzi. At the opposite end of the social ladder, there were criminals and bandits among the Medici. So, in 1343–1360 five Medici were sentenced to death penalty for a variety of crimes (from robbery to murder). This gave the entire family a bad reputation, which, of course, was not improved by the fact that its representatives often started litigation with each other.

This reputation and lack of unity did not allow the Medici family to play any significant role in the governance of Florence during this period. The only exception was Salvestro de' Medici (1331–1388). The fact that the Medici still belonged to the urban “outsiders” can be concluded from the fact that Salvestro, who was part of the successful elite of the older guilds, identified himself with the younger ones, such as the Ciompi (wool carders). His election as gonfalonier (head of the magistrate) in 1378, which was a victory for representatives of the lower classes, provoked the so-called. the “chompie rebellion,” an attempt to ensure greater grassroots participation in governance. However, the movement was soon suppressed, and over the next three years the senior guilds regained their positions and Salvestro was forced into exile.

Distrust of the Medici family, only intensified as a result of Salvestro's actions, indirectly influenced the rise of that branch of the family, which subsequently gained European fame. Since the Medici were under suspicion of political unreliability and were prohibited from holding public office, they turned all their energies to entrepreneurship. The Medici, famous in history, are the descendants of Averardo de' Medici (nicknamed Bicci), a distant relative of Salvestro. In the second half of the 14th century. Averardo's business flourished, and under the leadership of his son Giovanni di Bicci (1360–1429), the family enterprise included banking operations, along with the production of silk and textiles, and had branches throughout Europe. In 1421 Giovanni was elected Gonfaloniere.

Medici - rulers of Florence.

Giovanni di Bicci had two sons - Cosimo (1389–1464) and Lorenzo (1394–1440); it started with Cosimo political career families. Of his two sons, Giovanni (1424–1463) was considered the more talented, but he died before his father. After Cosimo's death, Piero (1416–1469) became the head of the family, who, despite severe gout, showed unexpected energy in the fight against attempts to deprive the family of political weight. Of Piero's two sons, the younger, Giuliano (1453–1478), was killed as a result of the Pazzi conspiracy, and the elder, Lorenzo (1449–1492), nicknamed il Magnifico (Magnificent), retained the family's leading position in Florence. He can be considered the most brilliant of all the Medici.

Lorenzo's eldest son, Piero (1471–1503), succeeded him after his death, but with his arrogance he alienated most of the Florentine patriciate. When Italy was threatened by a French invasion, Piero sided with the enemies of France, and therefore, after French troops actually entered Italy in 1494, the entire Medici family had to flee Florence. Pierrot was declared a tyrant, and a reward was placed on his head.

The Medici regained their position in Florence mainly thanks to the political talents of Giovanni (1475–1521), the second son of Lorenzo. Lorenzo managed to make Giovanni a cardinal, and he, despite his youth, managed to gain the trust of Pope Julius II. In 1511, a conflict broke out between the Republic of Florence, on the one hand, and the Pope and the Spaniards, on the other. The struggle ended in the defeat and capitulation of Florence, and one of the conditions set by the victors, thanks to the influence of Giovanni (1512), was the return to the Medici city. Subsequently, Medici control over Florence strengthened, since in 1513, after the death of Julius II, Giovanni was elected pope under the name of Leo X.

When the Medici returned to Florence as its rulers, only four of Cosimo's descendants remained alive. Two of them belonged to the ecclesiastical rank - Pope Leo X and Cardinal Giulio (1478-1534), son of Giuliano, brother of Lorenzo the Magnificent (later to become Pope Clement VII). So all hopes for procreation were pinned on youngest son Lorenzo the Magnificent Giuliano (1478–1516) and with only son Lorenzo's eldest son Piero, also named Lorenzo (1492–1512). Giuliano, Duke of Nemours, a sickly man who did not show any noticeable political ambitions or abilities, soon died (1516). Lorenzo, whom Leo X had already made Duke of Urbino, died unexpectedly in 1519, leaving his only daughter Catherine. The famous Medici tombs by Michelangelo were erected in memory of these two representatives of the family who died untimely.

The two remaining representatives of this branch of the Medici, Leo X and Cardinal Giulio, could not accept the idea that the descendants of Cosimo the Elder would not rule Florence. Therefore, they settled two young men, Ippolito and Alessandro, in the Medici palace and raised them as heirs of the family. Ippolito (1511–1535) is the illegitimate son of Giuliano, Duke of Nemours, while Alessandro (1510–1537) was declared the illegitimate son of Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino. However, the assumption always seemed plausible that Alessandro, to whom Cardinal Giulio gave clear preference, was his illegitimate son. When he became Pope Clement VII, he made Hippolytus a cardinal against his will, thereby ending his hopes of coming to power in Florence.

When the last republican uprising in Florence failed, the city surrendered to the pope, after which Clement VII installed Alessandro in Florence as hereditary duke (1532) and abolished the previous constitution. This was made possible by the alliance of the pope with Emperor Charles V; Alessandro's marriage to Margaret, the illegitimate daughter of Charles V, sealed their union. Supported by the forces of the empire, Alessandro relied on brute force; cruel and vicious, he aroused universal hatred. But in 1537 he was killed by his own friend, who invariably participated in his disgusting antics, and by a distant relative, Lorenzino de' Medici, who may have considered himself a second Brutus, destined to free the city from the tyrant. (This story formed the basis of the drama Lorenzaccio(Lorenzaccio) Alfred Musset.)

Grand Dukes of Tuscany.

The most prominent citizens of Florence considered that after the death of Alessandro it was impossible to restore the republic, since this would make the emperor a sworn enemy of the city. Therefore, a representative of the younger branch of the Medici family, a descendant of Lorenzo, the younger brother of Cosimo the Elder, became Duke of Florence under the name Cosimo I (1519–1574). He founded a dynasty whose representatives ruled Tuscany as grand dukes back in the 18th century. and were married to almost all the august houses of Europe.

As during the Renaissance, the Medici court continued to be renowned as a center of art, science and learning. In 1574, Cosimo I was succeeded by his eldest son Francesco I (1541–1587). The new Grand Duke's interest in chemistry led to the founding of a porcelain manufacturing company. He also founded the Accademia della Crusca - with the aim of purifying Italian language and the creation of its grammar. Francesco's favorite artist was Giambologna, who created some of his most famous sculptures for him. However, the most famous Grand Duke owes to the scandal associated with his passion for the Venetian lady Bianca Capello, whom he married after the death of his first wife. Mary, one of Francesco's daughters, became Queen of France - as the wife of Henry IV. Francesco died in 1587 without leaving any sons, so his younger brother Cardinal Ferdinando (1549–1609) was forced to renounce his ecclesiastical title and become Grand Duke. Ferdinando was a brilliant administrator; he turned Livorno into a free port, which soon became one of the most important trading centers in the Mediterranean. Under his leadership, Tuscany reached a significant level economic development, and Ferdinando himself became one of the richest rulers in Europe.

Ferdinando's son Cosimo II (1590–1620) became most famous for the fact that, at his invitation, Galileo settled in Florence, where he was able to engage in science. The other Medici who ruled in Tuscany - Ferdinando II (1610-1670), Cosimo III (1642-1723) and Gian Gastone (1671-1737) - did not show themselves in any way.

The most powerful personality in the last generation of Medici was Anna Maria Ludovica (1667–1743), sister of Gian Gastone. She married the Elector of the Palatinate, but in 1716, after the death of her husband, she returned to Florence. When her brother died, Anna Maria Ludovica showed clear opposition to the agreement of the European powers, according to which Tuscany was to come under the rule of the Dukes of Lorraine and the Habsburgs. She dedicated herself to completing the colossal mausoleum of the Medici Grand Dukes. By inheritance, all the art collections collected by the Medici over three centuries passed to her, and she left them in full to Tuscany - on the condition that no part of them could be taken out of Florence and that they should be open for inspection to representatives of all nations countries

Cosimo de' Medici (1389–1464).

Cosimo, nicknamed the Elder (Cosimo il Vecchio), was born in Florence on September 27, 1389. It was he who laid the foundation for the political power of the Medici in Florence. An intelligent and far-sighted entrepreneur, he very successfully expanded the banking house founded by his father. By the age of 40, Cosimo was already one of richest people Florence: owned wool spinning factories, monopolized the production of tanning alum, which is indispensable in the textile industry, and conducted multifaceted commercial activities. The close interdependence that existed in Florence between politics and economics, between the taxes that a given individual had to pay and his position in the ruling group, forced Cosimo to become actively involved in politics. He became a member of the ruling oligarchy, but his enormous wealth aroused fears among one of the leaders of this oligarchy, Rinaldo degli Albizzi. In the 1420s, personal rivalry flared up between them. Cosimo opposed the war with Lucca, while Rinaldo was its supporter. And when the clash not only ended in failure, but also involved Florence in a war with Milan, Rinaldo insisted on the expulsion of Cosimo and his family.

The exile lasted one year. In 1434 Cosimo's friends won a majority in the government, and the Medici were invited back, while the Albizzi and their followers went into exile. From 1434 until his death in 1464, Cosimo managed to exert a strong influence on almost all spheres of life in Florence; to his successors he left a firmly entrenched position of political leadership. This was achieved by a variety of means.

Achieving supremacy.

Cosimo's first goal was to maintain the unity of his party in order to avoid the hostility that led to the overthrow of Rinaldo. For this reason, Cosimo did not outwardly emphasize his leading role, but remained, as it were, an ordinary citizen. His friends and supporters occupied the highest places in city government no more than himself. Cosimo became a Gonfaloniere only three times, each time for two months: other Florentine patricians were in the public eye much more often. However, Cosimo was a member of the commission in charge of public debts, a position that allowed him to provide financial benefits to his supporters. Banking also made it possible to cement political alliances with money. In addition, Cosimo married his sons and grandsons to noble Florentine women.

The vigorous activity of the Medici Bank, which had branches in major European cities, gave Cosimo access to unique information regarding events in the political life of other countries, which made him an invaluable consultant on international affairs. Cosimo influenced the foreign policy of Florence during the great crisis that erupted in northern Italy after the death in 1447 of Filippo Maria Visconti, the last ruler of Milan from this family. He pushed Florence to support Francesco Sforza in his claim to the Visconti legacy - despite the opposition of Venice. This marked a turn in the policy of Florence, since Venice was its traditional ally, and Milan its traditional enemy. In the ensuing war, Florence thus found itself alongside Milan against Venice and Naples. But when peace was concluded in Lodi in 1454 and Sforza’s opponents were forced to recognize the legitimacy of his rule, the benefits went mainly to Florence and Cosimo. The authority of Florence in Italy increased thanks to the alliance with Milan, and the Sforzas considered the initiator of this alliance, Cosimo, their close friend. He became an intermediary through whom the Sforzas negotiated with Florence, and soon the heads of other states began to follow their example. Thanks to such close connections with foreign rulers, Cosimo became an indispensable person in the Florentine government. He had a good understanding of when to capture people's imagination and when to show decisiveness and ruthlessness. However, his favorite methods, both internally and foreign policy, there were negotiations and persuasion.

Although all the commanding heights in Florence were monopolized by Medici supporters led by the leader Cosimo, he was well aware of how unreliable such an oligarchic regime could prove to be if the citizens were dissatisfied. Therefore, Cosimo took every possible care to increase the splendor of the city, and began extensive construction. He contributed to the completion of public buildings begun by the government or the guilds, and with his own money he commissioned Michelozzo to build the enormous Medici palace, which still stands on the Via Larga. He erected or renovated many church buildings: the monastery of St. Mark, the dormitory of the monastery of Santa Croce, the church of San Lorenzo in Florence and in Badia near Fiesole, where he had a villa. The Medici coat of arms appeared on their facades - 5 red circles (or cores).

Cosimo loved spending time with the monks of the monastery of St. Mark or for the books that he collected and which formed the basis of the first public library since antiquity. Close friendship connected him with the humanists Leonardo Bruni and Poggio Bracciolini; He was especially proud that through his efforts young Marsilio Ficino gained financial independence, which allowed him to begin translating Plato from Greek language into Latin. The inscription Pater Patriae (Father of the Fatherland), emblazoned on Cosimo’s tomb (he died in Carreggi near Florence on August 1, 1464), is an expression of the gratitude of the citizens that he gained during his lifetime.

Lorenzo the Magnificent (1449–1492).

Lorenzo, grandson of Cosimo, was born in Florence on January 1, 1449. The nickname “Magnificent” refers both to his merits as a patron of the arts and poet, and as a statesman. When his father Piero died in 1469, Lorenzo was only 20 years old. Nevertheless, it was he, together with his younger brother Giuliano, who had the task of defending the conquests of the Medici. They began to initiate Lorenzo into the subtleties domestic policy Florence during Piero's lifetime, and during a number of diplomatic missions to foreign courts, he became acquainted with the basic principles of foreign policy. However, it would have been difficult for Lorenzo and his brother to maintain the positions held by their father and grandfather if the wealthy townspeople who supported the Medici regime during the time of Cosimo and Piero had not believed that their interests would be best protected only if the Medici remained in the role of recognized leader of the state.

Everyone expected that the two brothers would become just a facade, under the cover of which patricians from among the Medici supporters would determine and control the course of political life. Although Lorenzo took an active part in the decision-making of the ruling elite from the very beginning, it was several years before his nominal leadership became a reality, and this happened only after the events associated with the Pazzi conspiracy (1478).

The reason for the conspiracy was dissatisfaction with the leading role of the Medici party among some wealthy Florentines who did not belong to it. The Pazzi family, which was not inferior in wealth to the Medici, but came from a more ancient and noble family, was especially indignant. They intrigued against the Medici at the papal court, as a result of which Pope Sixtus IV transferred very significant curia funds from the Medici bank to the Pazzi bank. Lorenzo, for his part, used his influence in Florence to prevent the Pazzi from receiving a significant inheritance. The Pope's nephew Girolamo Riario also shared hostility towards the Medici, who saw them as an obstacle to his plans to establish himself here as a ruler. The conspirators planned to kill both Medici brothers right in the cathedral, during mass. Giuliano was killed, and Lorenzo jumped over the railing of the choir and disappeared into the sacristy. The Pazzi tried to arouse the indignation of the Florentines by calling for the restoration of republican freedoms, but they only incurred anger by murdering Giuliano, beloved by the people.

Foreign policy.

Although Lorenzo had the upper hand, he became embroiled in serious external complications. Girolamo Riario and the pope were aware of the Pazzi's attempt to overthrow the Medici, and their troops approached Florence to support the conspirators. A war ensued between Florence and the pope, during which the king of Naples Ferdinand I came to the aid of the pope. The pope and Ferdinand convinced the Florentines that they were not fighting with them, but only with Lorenzo. The citizens of Florence remained loyal to the Medici, but militarily the pope and Naples were far superior to them. Over the course of two years of war, the enemies advanced far into Florentine territory, and the city found itself economically depleted. It was then, in 1480, that Lorenzo undertook the famous trip to Naples to make peace with Ferdinand, which modern chroniclers, and subsequently historians, described as a complete surprise for the king. In fact, the trip was carefully prepared during diplomatic negotiations, although a certain amount of risk still remained; Lorenzo's charm and intelligence played an important role in achieving peace with Ferdinand. Left without a Neapolitan ally, the pope was forced to make peace that same year.

In the last 12 years of his life, Lorenzo's successes became increasingly significant. In foreign policy, he was most concerned about preserving peace. However, Lorenzo did not hesitate at all when - at the right moment and without special costs - it was possible to increase the territory of Florence with the help of military force. He could not avoid participating in wars in which the major powers of the Apennine Peninsula were involved. In 1482 it was a struggle for Ferrara, and in 1485 - a conflict between the pope and Naples, in which Florence took the side of Naples. After 1480, Lorenzo's foreign policy was based on an alliance with Naples and Milan. However, while maintaining good relations with the pope, Lorenzo managed to maintain close relations also with the alliance of the papal throne and Venice, which opposed Naples and Milan. Perhaps Lorenzo did not pursue a conscious policy of balance of power; but the fact that he turned out to be a decisive figure in both one and the other alliance allowed him to constantly influence the situation in order to restore peace in Italy.

Positions in Florence.

Lorenzo used the popularity he gained after the Pazzi conspiracy, as well as the successful outcome of the ensuing war, to strengthen the position of his party in Florence. Thus, through his efforts, the Council of Seventy was established, composed of the closest supporters of the Medici. The council formed the government and formed two executive committees - for foreign policy and for finance. Although the previous councils continued to exist, the need for approval of all political activities by the Council of Seventy made it the axis around which the entire system of government revolved. Lorenzo probably also thought about further measures to strengthen the rule of the Medici. He planned to turn the post of gonfaloniere, which was alternately filled by the heads of the guilds for two months, into a lifelong position for himself, but he died before the corresponding amendments to the constitution were made.

Contemporaries often wondered: who is greater - Lorenzo or his grandfather Cosimo? Cosimo was more circumspect and probably wiser, but Lorenzo had a brighter mind and personal attractiveness. The traditions laid down by his grandfather shaped the position that Lorenzo occupied and determined the direction of his policies. As in the case of Cosimo, the main guarantee of Lorenzo's indispensability in the life of Florence was his unsurpassed sophistication in foreign policy. Lorenzo's wife came from the Orsini family; he married his eldest son Piero to a representative of the same princely family, and married one of his daughters to Francesco Cibo, nephew of Pope Innocent VIII. These connections elevated the Medici above the Florentine patriciate, making them one of the ruling families in Italy. The consecration of Lorenzo's second son Giovanni (later elected pope under the name Leo X), who was only 14 years old, as a cardinal in 1489, indicated the promotion of the Medici to the level of European princes.

To strengthen his power, Lorenzo, to a much lesser extent than Cosimo, could rely on seemingly inexhaustible financial resources. Lorenzo had very little entrepreneurial ability. Under him, the Medici Bank suffered huge losses, so its importance decreased significantly. This happened both because of the mistakes of managers and because of the rise in business activity in France, England and Germany, which ended the monopoly of Italian bankers and merchants. The Medici Bank was forced to make risky investments, such as lending money to princes. It is also true that Lorenzo (as his contemporaries assumed) used public funds to support his own business. By creating the Council of Seventy, Lorenzo achieved what was an absolute necessity for him: complete dominance in state affairs and the elimination of all unreliable elements from the government apparatus.

Patron of science and art.

However, Lorenzo's construction program was not as extensive as that of his grandfather Cosimo. Perhaps he was stopped by financial difficulties. Lorenzo was commissioned only a few works by the great contemporary artists. Nevertheless, he was a passionate lover of painting: he enjoyed the company of artists, discussed their plans with them and gave advice to fellow citizens and rulers of other states on which artist to place an order for. Lorenzo collected gems and manuscripts; he preserved for posterity some of the most valuable texts of the Greek tragedians, Homer, Thucydides and Polybius. He made friends with the most prominent humanists and writers of his time. The humanist Poliziano and the poet Luigi Pulci lived in his house as friends and mentors to his sons. He showed affection to the philosopher Marsilio Ficino and the composer Francesco Landino, and was a friend of Pico della Mirandola.

Such relationships were based on common interests and genuine mutual understanding, since Lorenzo himself was a writer and poet. Although his work shows traces of the influence of Dante and Petrarch, his poetic descriptions of the landscapes of Florence and its classical myths, his glorification of love and pleasure, have a personal touch. Lorenzo will forever retain his place as a minor classic of Italian literature. Poets and humanists of the time thanked Lorenzo for his support, singing him in poems and dedications, and thereby spreading his fame throughout Italy and Europe. They portrayed him as a philosopher on the throne, the embodiment of the ideal of the Italian Renaissance. Lorenzo died in Carreggi near Florence on April 9, 1492.

Cosimo I, Grand Duke of Tuscany (1519–1574).

Cosimo I is the first Grand Duke and a prominent Italian sovereign of the 16th century. The great-great-grandson of Lorenzo the Elder, the younger brother of Cosimo the Elder, Cosimo was born in Florence on June 12, 1519. Thanks to his mother Maria Salviati, granddaughter of Lorenzo the Magnificent, Cosimo I was also closely associated with the senior branch of the Medici family. After Duke Alessandro was killed in 1537, Cosimo had more rights than anyone else to inherit power over Florence. Since he was not yet 18 years old, the Florentine patricians saw in his candidacy the additional advantage that he could be easily controlled. But once the patrician-dominated Council of Forty-Eight confirmed him in office, Cosimo forged close ties with the ambassador of Emperor Charles V. With the support of imperial troops stationed in Italy, Cosimo quickly abolished the Council of Forty-Eight and ended the influence of the patricians. The attack on the rights of the patriciate was immediately followed by an attempt at revenge, led by political exiles and prominent patricians. In 1537, at the Battle of Montemurlo near Florence, they were defeated, and their leaders were captured, many of them were executed.

In international affairs, Cosimo steadfastly adhered to the alliance with the emperor and benefited greatly from the success of the imperial forces in driving the French out of Italy. His most important acquisition was Siena, which he captured in 1555: he now brought almost all of Tuscany under his rule. In 1569, Cosimo’s strengthened position also found external expression - his title changed: the pope made Cosimo Grand Duke of Tuscany (before that he was Duke of Florence), which was soon recognized by other powers.

Cosimo's reign was characterized by many features typical of all European absolutism. His power was based on a powerful and disciplined mercenary army. Cosimo's taxes were high, but he imposed strict order, severely punished criminals and supported the development of new industries, such as tapestry making, which flourished in Florence until the 18th century.

Despite the fact that Cosimo differed from the representatives of the older branch of the Medici in cruelty and formalism, he largely followed the traditional policy of the family, supporting literature and art. During his reign, significant works in the poetic and historical genres were created in Florence. Cosimo decorated the city on the Arno with several of the most famous monuments: during his time the Santa Trinita bridge was built and the construction of the Pitti Palace was completed, in which he himself lived and which remained the residence of the rulers of Tuscany until the end of the grand duchy.

Literature:

Rolova A.D. Personal involvement of the Tuscan Grand Dukes in business life. – In the book: Medieval city, vol. 8. Saratov, 1987
Rolova A.D. The emergence of the Medici lordship and the culture of the Renaissance. – In the book: Culture and society of Italy on the eve of modern times. M., 1993
Experience of millennia. Middle Ages and Renaissance: life, morals, ideals. M., 1996



By the middle of the 15th century, the Medici family managed to achieve complete power in Florence. The city's new ruler, Lorenzo de' Medici, controlled the political and financial empire created by his ancestors. His great-grandfather, Giovanni di Bicci, laid the foundation of the banking system, thanks to which he became rich. And his famous son, Cosimo, was able to significantly increase the inheritance. His debtors included not only the popes, the kings of England and France, but even such powerful state like Venice. Their banks were among the largest in Europe. But along with the wealth and influence of the Medici, discontent among the aristocracy grew.

History of the Medici Dynasty

In Florence at that time there were always several families fighting for power. And the growth of Medici influence seriously worried them. First they accused Cosimo of inciting the people to revolt and threw him into prison. But thanks to the assistance of the allies, it was possible to bribe the right people and avoid the death penalty. Later, the same fate befell his grandchildren.

Lorenzo Medici. (wikipedia.org)

In 1478, the conspirators decided to kill two Medici brothers - Giuliano and Lorenzo. They attacked them on the holy day of Easter, right during mass. Giuliano was inflicted nineteen wounds and died on the spot. However, Lorenzo survived, which meant the conspirators lost. It is worth noting that Lorenzo had many allies. And the first thing he did when power was in his hands was to ensure his safety. He knew that a successful management system must be based on personal loyalty and personal interaction. So he started offering his help to everyone ordinary people Tuscany, counting on possible support from them. After all, the influential people of the city were much closer than the government. Thanks to the services provided and a huge circle of friends, Lorenzo received almost unlimited power in Florence. Therefore, after the attack incident, supporters of the popular family fell into such a rage that they were ready to tear the attackers to pieces. Which is exactly what happened. A wave of violence swept through Florence.

Medici coat of arms. (wikipedia.org)

Upon learning of this, the Pope ordered troops to wipe out the Medici and their supporters from the face of the earth. When these rumors reached Lorenzo, he personally decided to go to his enemies for negotiations. He was ready to sacrifice his life for the sake of Florence. After a month's journey, the ship landed in Naples. Lorenzo de' Medici was armed with money and gifts for the courtiers. Despite the resistance of the Pope, peace was concluded. The enemy troops had to retreat. For this act, the grateful city gave him the nickname Magnificent, which stuck with him for the rest of his life.

Lorenzo de' Medici the Magnificent - patron of the arts

After this incident, Lorenzo the Magnificent began to work to ensure the future of the Medici dynasty. He adopted his late brother's illegitimate son and took complete control of the city's governance.

The Medici dynasty were not only skilled politicians, they were also famous for their patronage of the arts. Family miraculously found talent and was ready to invest all its resources in them. They gave complete freedom to artists. Lorenzo was no exception and continued the tradition of his grandfathers. His house was open to creative personalities. Lorenzo Medici spent regular evenings with many interesting and talented people of that time. He brought the spirit of secular freedom and was the life and soul of Florence.

The fate of any creative career in the city depended on one of his words. He created the first art school, where he soon discovered the inimitable Michelangelo. The famous artist and sculptor was only thirteen years old at that time. Lorenzo the Magnificent introduced him into his family, where the boy grew up with his children. Art was experiencing an unprecedented rise, but the political and financial situation was on the verge of collapse.

Bonfires of the Vanities

There is no doubt that Florence has reached new heights in culture. But absorbed in his hobbies, the ruler weakened his position in the family business. Many of his investments brought huge losses. And several Medici bank branches in Europe had to close. Lorenzo lost a huge fortune, and his circle of supporters gradually began to shrink. In addition, the wandering monk Savonarola entered into an irreconcilable conflict with the house of Medici. We can say that this conflict was a war between the Renaissance and the Middle Ages.

In 1492, Lorenzo de' Medici became seriously ill. Fear for the future of the dynasty did not allow him to calmly leave this world. He came up with a new power base for his heirs. It was a church. Lorenzo spent almost a fortune to ensure that his son Giovanni Medici became a cardinal at the age of sixteen. In the future, he will become known as Pope Leo X.

After the death of Lorenzo the Magnificent, Savonarola, who took up arms against him, organized public burnings. Secular books, paintings, musical instruments and many things related to the art of that time were thrown into the fire. Subsequently, this ceremony would be called the “bonfire of the vanities.” And yet, the power of the Medici at that time was not yet over.

• 59 BC e. by By order of Julius Caesar, veterans of the Roman army were allocated a plot of land on the Arno River for settlement (and at the same time they were given the responsibility to look after the Via Flaminia road). It was built in the spirit of Roman military camps: a square with sides of approximately 500 m consisted of fortifications built along streets laid strictly from north to south and from west to east.
• IXIn the end. Margrave Ugo of Tuscany made Florence the capital of Tuscany.

• 1115. After the death of the last of the Tuscan margraves, the city gained independence. like some other Italian cities, it becomes a commune, receives internal self-government and begins to play the role of a more or less independent force in external affairs.
• 1138. Florence received consular rule.
• 1193. Podesta began to be elected in Florence. He was charged with the duty of examining the affairs of the Florentines fairly and impartially, therefore preference was given to nobles from other cities who were not involved in Florentine civil strife.
• Con.XII- beginningXIIIV. The formed workshop organization began to play an economic and political role in the life of the city. Particularly important and rich guilds were Lana - an organization of manufacturers and sellers of woolen products, Seta - silk suppliers, Cambio - money changers. The commune fought against the nobles - the owners of lands and castles in the contado. Many fortifications were destroyed and, together with land holdings, were transferred to the commune, and their former lords had to move to the city. In the 13th century, the population of Florence increased from 20,000 to 90,000 people, primarily due to the influx of settlers from the contado district.
• 1207. The position of podesta becomes the main one in the city. Usually this meant the development of the commune along a democratic path, while the position of consuls expressed oligarchic rule. There also arose the position of the head of the city militia - captain of the people, and the very structure of the military organization of the commune, which served as a model for many communes. Detachments of townspeople successfully fought wars with nobles for whom warfare was a profession.
• In the course of the political development of the commune, the need arose to legislate the changes that had taken place: in 1250, a constitution was adopted that met the interests of a wider circle of members of the commune (popolans). Two new bodies of democratic self-government appeared - the “Council of the Twelve Elders of the Florentine People” and the “Council of the People,” elected from the guilds. The guild organization thus became a political force. A decade later, this Polanian constitution was abolished, but the line of democratic development was not interrupted.
• 1248. The Ghibellines, relying on the support of Emperor Frederick II Staufen, expelled the Guelphs from Florence. The winners toppled 36 enemy towers, and they calculated the direction of their fall in such a way as to cause maximum damage to the churches belonging to the Guelphs. However, not even three years had passed since the emperor died. With the death of the monarch, military support dried up, and the Guelphs returned the city, sending the Ghibellines into exile.

• 1252. Florence mints its own gold coin - the florin, which becomes one of the most stable monetary units in Europe.
• 1260, 4 Sep. Battle of the Florentines and Sienese near the castle of Monteaperti. Expelled from their hometown, the Ghibellines, led by Farinato degli Uberti, fought on the side of the Sienese and, after a crushing defeat of their fellow Guelphs, recaptured Florence.
• 1266. The Guelphs again expelled the Ghibellines from the city, now forever. Symbolically asserting the inviolability of the newly established world order, the Guelphs built a square (present-day Piazza della Signoria) on the site of the house of the rebellious Uberti family. The victory of the Guelphs over the Ghibellines had a certain social background: they were supported by those whom the Florentines called the word “people” - traders. Power in the city soon passed to him.
• The Florentine “people” were for the most part heterogeneous and divided into two large social groups- “fat” and “skinny”. The city began to be ruled by the “fat” people, who fought against the nobility who oppressed the “people.” The leaders of the Guelph party had to negotiate with the “people.” The compromise was that all townspeople of noble origin had to enroll in the “people” and be considered some kind of artisans. all those who did not register were subject to expulsion as enemies of the “people”, and their houses were to be demolished. (For example, Dante was enrolled in the workshop of doctors and pharmacists.) The severity of the laws did not pacify society. The nobility was not going to put up with the lack of rights, the “fat” were annoyed that the “skinny” were allowed to participate in city government, and the “skinny” considered the level of their participation insufficient.
• 1282. The Guelphs created a new system of Popolan government, which received historical name Florentina libertatis. Executive power passed to a new communal body - the priory (which included representatives of the workshops - first 6, and then 9 priors). A short-term (2 months) position of the so-called standard-bearer (gonfaloniere) of justice also appeared.
• 1293. Publication of the “Establishments of Justice” - a constitutional law that excluded grandees from political elections.
• 1301. The “black” Guelphs carried out a coup, all the “whites” were expelled from the city (including Dante). Stubborn opposition and conflict between the guild corporations of Florence also emerged. The group of the richest workshops (7 workshops) sought to ensure that the remaining 14 corporations in the city could not expand their representation in government bodies.
• 1302. Dante was sentenced to death in absentia, and the house was demolished. Dante never returned to his hometown, either alive or dead. For reasons of prestige, the Florentines gathered their famous dead in the large Franciscan church of Santa Croce, which became something of a pantheon. Dante was buried near the Church of San Francesco in Ravenna, the city where he died. Two hundred years after his death, the Florentines unsuccessfully sought the return of the ashes. The intervention of Pope Leo X almost decided the matter in their favor, but when Dante's burial was opened, it turned out to be empty. Remains of the author " Divine Comedy They managed to hide it, and the Florentines left with nothing.
• Around 1300-1380. The almost century-long period from the adoption of the “Establishments of Justice” is considered the heyday of the Polish democracy of Florence. fairly broad sections of the population received the right to elect and be elected to high positions in the commune; the development of corruption was hampered by the frequent turnover of officials, the short-term powers of the highest legislative bodies of the commune council and the people's council (4 months).
• In the 1st half of the 14th century, Florence significantly expanded its possessions in the area, subjugating a number of cities: in 1331 - Pistoia, in 1337 - Arezzo, in 1350 - Prato, in 1355 - Volterra. The role of the commander of the armed forces of the commune - the captain of the people - acquired more and more weight. Unrest in the city itself had to be suppressed by the same detachments subordinate to the captain of the people. Therefore, it was precisely this initially democratic position that could serve as a cover for the tyrannical aspirations of ambitious members of the commune.
• The political development of Florence led to the formation of a seignorial regime of government, especially after the uprising of the urban lower classes - unskilled workers - wool carders (ciompi) in 1378–1382. From this period, power became increasingly concentrated in the hands of the Albizzi family, and in 1434 they were replaced by representatives of the Medici family, wealthy bankers and populace.

• XVV. The population of Florence is about 60,000 inhabitants. More than 3,000 people passed through the administrative apparatus per year, as well as 600 police officers who kept order in the city. The Florentines were extremely committed to various forms of civil control, creating many commissions that even intervened in the affairs of the church. The commissions especially closely monitored everything related to urban improvement. the houses and palaces of the families expelled from Florence by the Signoria came under the jurisdiction of the city, were sold to other families, or were used for public needs. Despite the decline of the republic, it was the 15th century that became the century of the heyday of Florence. The tyrannical rulers of Florence, as elsewhere in Italy, also became the organizers of grandiose construction that exceeded the scale of all previous public initiatives. The Medici also attracted the best experts in science, masters of arts and crafts to Florence at their own expense. Florence by the Quattrocento (after the 1400s) was considered an exemplary city of the new culture of the Renaissance by both contemporaries and historians of this era.
• 1427. The Medici family managed to achieve the adoption of a law on a progressive property tax in the Signoria. This ensured the Medici greater popularity among the poor and middle classes, but caused discontent among the magnates who supported Albizzi.
• 1470-1480s. The reign of the “uncrowned ruler” of Florence, Lorenzo de Medici, nicknamed the Magnificent (1449-1492). Although formally republican structures continued to exist, power was concentrated in the hands of representatives and proteges of the House of Medici.
• 1490. The prior of the monastery of San Marco, Fra Girolamo Savonarola from Ferrara, preached in the city. under the influence of his teachings, the Florentines, after the death of Lorenzo the Magnificent, restored the republic.
• 1494. After the expulsion of Piero de' Medici, the republic was restored in the city.
• 1498. Savonarola's dictatorship did not last long - he was excommunicated, arrested and executed in Piazza della Signoria.
• 1527. As a result of a new uprising, the republican system was restored in the city.
• 1530. The Medici, with the support of the Pope and the German Emperor, returned to Florence and received the title of Dukes of Florence. Cosimo I de' Medici partially restored Florence to its former splendor, conquered Siena and became Grand Duke of Tuscany.
• 1530-1737. Reign of the Medici Dukes in the Duchy of Tuscany.
• 1569. Cosimo I de' Medici received the title of Grand Duke of Tuscany with his capital in Florence, which he subsequently passed on to his heirs.
• 1571. The Laurentian Library was opened (built according to a design by Michelangelo), which contains 10,500 manuscripts, more than 700 of which date back to before the 11th century and are of extraordinary philological, artistic and historical significance.

• 1576-1582. under under the patronage of Count G. Bardi, the Camerata arose in Florence - an association of poets and musicians, theorists and experimenters in music (J. Corsi, E. de Cavalieri, G. Mei, V. Galilei, G. Caccini). The participants of the Camerata are interested in ancient Greek drama, in which the main thing, in their opinion, was the close unity of music and poetry. Based on the achievements of the Camerata, in 1598 the composer J. Peri and the poet O. Rinuccini composed “Daphne” - a kind of musical performance, apparently close to what we call opera.
• 1582. in In Florence, members of the Florentine Academy founded the Accademia della Crusca (existed until late XVIII century, renewed by Napoleon in 1808). Thanks to the activities of the Academy, the Tuscan dialect became a model for Italian literature of the 16th and 17th centuries. An important part of the activities of the Academy members was the compilation of comments on Petrarch and Boccaccio, the study of their stylistics, vocabulary, phraseology and imagery.
• 1587-1609. During the reign of Duke Ferdinando I, focusing on the French and then the Austrian royal court, the industrial and commercial activity of the city increased, and broad reclamation plans began to be implemented - draining the swamps around Florence; Livorno began to develop as a port city of the duchy.
• 1600. The first opera in the history of music was presented in Florence - “Euridice” by G. Caccini and J. Peri.
• 1671-1737. The reign of Gian Gastone, the last Grand Duke of Tuscany of the Medici family.
• 1737. The sister of the last Grand Duke of Tuscany bequeathed all the collections belonging to the Medici family to her hometown. The title of Grand Dukes of Tuscany passed to the Dukes of Lorraine, whose representatives increased the legacy received from the Medici.
• 1737-1859. The reign of the Dukes of Lorraine, representatives of a branch of the House of Habsburg, in the Duchy of Tuscany.
• 1784. Grand Duke Peter Leopold founded the Accademia Gallery, a collection of European painting of the 15th-16th centuries and Tuscan painting of the 13th-18th centuries.
• 1859. Duke Leopold II of Tuscany voluntarily left Tuscany.
• 1860. Florence became part of the Kingdom of Italy and was its capital in 1865-1871.
• 1944. After the surrender of Italy (1943), the northern part of the country, including Florence, was occupied by the Germans. Retreating under the onslaught of the Allies, German troops blew up all the bridges across the Arno, sparing only the Ponte Vecchio.
• 1966. Many works of art were damaged by a catastrophic flood, an explosion occurred near the Uffizi Gallery (1993).

MEDICI, a Florentine family that played an important role in medieval Italy. At the end of the 12th century. The Medici moved to Florence from the Tuscan town of Mugelo and became rich by engaging in trade and usury. They founded a trading and banking company, one of the largest in the 15th century. in Europe; in 1434-1737 (with breaks in 1494-1512, 1527-30) they ruled Florence. Main representatives: Cosimo the Elder Medici, ruled from 1434; Lorenzo the Magnificent de' Medici, reigned from 1469.

The Medici ruled the Grand Duchy of Tuscany from 1569 to 1737. Popes Leo X and Clement VII, French queens Catherine de Medici and Marie de Medici, and several cardinals belonged to the Medici family.

MEDICI Cosimo Elder (Old) (September 27, 1389, Florence - August 1, 1464, Careggi, Florence district), merchant and banker, owner of the largest fortune in Europe. He laid the foundation for the power of the Medici family, which transformed the Florentine state from a republic into a signory.

He actively participated in city affairs, gained people's trust and favor with large donations for public needs and culture, gifts and loans to citizens and the state, and distribution of bread during famine years. In 1433, Cosimo, who headed the popular party in opposition to the ruling oligarchy, was arrested and then expelled from Florence. But already in November 1434 he returned to Florence in triumph. From that moment until the end of his days, he was the de facto ruler of the state, remaining a simple citizen, without accepting any title or changing republican forms. Under him, the signoria (government) of eight people, all commune councils, courts, colleges of good men and gonfaloniers of companies remained, but he controlled elections in them and used tax policy in the fight against opponents.

Cosimo was a zealous owner, he himself conducted the trading and banking affairs of his house, and supervised the cultivation of the land that belonged to him. How statesman he took care of the development of agriculture in the area of ​​Florence, encouraged silk spinning, trade, and shipping. The basis of Cosimo's political power was his personal fortune, which allowed him to act as a creditor to the King of England, the Duke of Burgundy, the Duke of Sforza, the Pope and other sovereigns of Italy and Europe. He expanded the possessions of Florence, annexing several neighboring territories. During the period of his actual reign, Florence did not experience any significant state and social upheavals, becoming one of the most important centers of international politics.

A characteristic feature of the power of Cosimo (and the Medici who succeeded him) was his widespread patronage of humanists and people of art, which brought him pan-European fame as a philanthropist. He collected works of art and books, assisted Leonardo Bruni, Poggio Bracciolini, Leon Battista Alberti, Cristoforo Landino, Ioann Argyropoulou, Marsilio Ficino and the circle of humanists that formed around him (Platonov Academy), provided orders for the artist Filippo Lippi, the architect Michelozzi. He was posthumously awarded by his fellow citizens the honorary title “Father of the Fatherland.”

O. F. Kudryavtsev

MEDICI Lorenzo the Magnificent(January 1, 1449, Florence - April 8, 1492, Careggi, district of Florence), grandson of Cosimo de' Medici the elder, after the death of his father Piero Gout in 1469, became the de facto ruler of the Florentine state. The name of Lorenzo the Magnificent is associated with the period of the highest flowering of the Renaissance culture of Florence.

As a child, Lorenzo was raised by his mother Lucrezia Tornabuoni, then his mentors were the famous humanists John Argyropoul, Cristoforo Landino, Marsilio Ficino, who taught him classical languages, philosophical sciences, and poetry. From his early youth he carried out responsible diplomatic missions and participated in government affairs. In July 1469 he married Clarice Orsini, a representative of a noble Roman family.

Like his grandfather, Lorenzo remained a private man and did not hold any key official positions. The republican façade of Florentine statehood changed little under him. The very nickname of Lorenzo “The Magnificent” indicates that his power rested to a large extent on the popularity that he acquired by extensive spending from his own and public pockets on luxurious buildings, works of art, and brilliant festivities. During his reign, endless carnivals, masquerades, knightly tournaments, theatrical and other performances took place. No stranger to literary studies, the author of the books that made him famous poetic works and learned treatises, Lorenzo showed himself as a generous philanthropist, like his grandfather, supported Ficino, the head of the Platonic Academy, of which he himself was a member, the poets Angelo Poliziano and Luigi Pulci, hosted Landino, Argyropoula, Francesco Filelfo, Bernardo Bembo, Ermolao Barbaro, Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, Johann Reuchlin and other famous humanists. Artists enjoyed his patronage: Sandro Botticelli, Filippino Lippi, Andrea Verrocchio, Pollaiuolo, Ghirlandaio, Giuliano da San Gallo, young Michelangelo. By family tradition, Lorenzo replenished the library (later named after him - Laurentiana), purchasing books for it throughout Europe, collecting ancient and new sculptures, cameos, coins, paintings.

He ensured the preservation of his power in various ways, in particular, through an extensive system of personal connections in Florence and beyond, and well-developed techniques for weeding out political opponents during elections to government bodies. In 1478, opponents of the Medici from the influential Florentine families of the Pazzi and Salviati attacked Lorenzo and his brother Giuliano in the church during mass, but only Giuliano was able to kill: the people did not support the conspirators and brutally dealt with them.

Lorenzo discovered an extraordinary diplomatic talent and became one of the creators of the Italian balance, skillfully playing on the contradictions between Venice, Milan, the Kingdom of Naples and the Pope. In 1479, having made a bold visit to his sworn enemy Ferdinand of Naples, he achieved an end to the war with him and the pope on favorable terms, which sharply increased his authority in Florence. Expanded Florentine possessions by annexing the fortresses of Pietrosanta, Sarzana and Piancaldoni.

Lorenzo's commercial activities were unsuccessful. In order to cover the growing expenses of the commune, including for public festivals and entertainment, he established new taxes and carried out forced government loans, resorted to damaging the coin. Popular discontent caused by increasing financial oppression affected Lorenzo's son and successor, Piero, who was expelled by the Florentines in November 1494.

O. F. Kudryavtsev

CATHERINE Medici(Catherine de Medicis) (April 13, 1519, Florence - January 5, 1589, Blois), French queen, wife of Henry II of Valois, mother French kings Francis II (1559-1560), Charles IX (1560-1574), Henry III (1574-1589) and Queen Margot (from 1589). Descends from the line of the Medici Dukes of Florence.

In 1533, Catherine de' Medici became the wife of the French prince Henry of Valois, and in 1547 the couple ascended the French throne. Since 1559, during the reign of her sons, Catherine de Medici largely determined public policy, tried to prevent nobles from public administration. In the initial period of the Huguenot Wars, the Queen Mother sought to maneuver between the warring parties. In 1570, she insisted on concluding the Treaty of Saint-Germain with the Huguenots. But in 1572, fearing the strengthening of the position of the Huguenot leader Gaspard Coligny at the royal court and his influence on Charles IX, she became one of the main organizers of the Bartholomew's Night.

MARIA MEDICI(Marie de Medicis) (1573-1642), Queen of France, wife of Henry IV, mother of Louis XIII, was regent in 1610-14. After Louis reached adulthood, she continued to rule on his behalf together with her favorite, Marshal d'Ancre. In 1617 d'Ancre was killed, Maria fled. She twice tried to rebel against Cardinal Richelieu, organized conspiracies and in the end was forced to leave France forever.

For her, the Luxembourg Palace was built in Paris, for whose galleries Rubens painted 21 canvases, “The Triumph of Marie de Medici.”

Renaissance, Florence, Medici - three words inextricably linked. The Renaissance is a time of brilliant flowering of culture that came in Europe after the long bloody unrest of the early Middle Ages. Florence is a city-republic that became one of the centers of the Renaissance. The Medici family is a famous Florentine family, many of whose members were typical people of modern times - talented, enterprising, cruel, inspired, like all true Florentines, by the ideas of freedom and devotion to their homeland.

In the 15th century Florence is one of the richest, most populous and beautiful cities not only in Italy, but also in Europe. Its residents Bardi and Peruzzi are at the head of the largest banks of that time, financing not only merchants and various types of entrepreneurs, but also entire states, for example, the governments of the English kings Edward II and Edward III.

Woolen fabrics made in Florentine factories are sold in many cities in Europe, Asia and Africa. Enterprising urban merchants establish shopping centers around the world. No wonder Pope Boniface VIII ironically said that the Florentines, like earth, water, air and fire, represent the basis of the universe.

In the distant past there are battles between townspeople and hated feudal lords, when the men of the Medici clan inspired their fellow citizens with cries of “Palle!”, “Palle!” (“Balls!”, “Balls!”), pelting enemies with plumb balls from looms. The Medici, together with the rest of the Florentines, achieved a complete victory over the knights-nobles, enshrined in a special document called “Established Justice.” Signed by the citizens of Florence in 1293, it deprived the knights of all political rights, and the title of nobleman was now assigned as a punishment to criminals.

The city fathers elected one of the Medici, Giovanni, to the highest position in the state - Gonfalonier of Justice. He had to almost single-handedly lead the political and economic life of the city-republic. Everyone else completely relied on his decisions and could calmly go about their business.

Giovanni Medici by that time was already one of the richest citizens, and he was not very attracted to the position assigned to him. His main interests lay in acquiring even greater wealth and strengthening the financial power of his family. In 1409, he became a banker at the papal court, with whose support he founded branches of his bank in Bruges and London.

Giovanni Medici's gold paved the way for his son Cosimo to unlimited political power in Florence, which he did not let go of until his death and passed on to his children. Cosimo was an educated man, a keen connoisseur of the sciences and arts. In 1438, he met Gemistius Pleto, who came to Florence. The Greek philosopher was a staunch adherent of Plato's teachings and dreamed, based on ancient philosophy, of creating a common religion for all mankind. Pleto managed to introduce Cosimo de Medici to his teachings. Since then, the name of the great sage of antiquity has not left his lips. He firmly believed that without knowledge of the teachings of Plato, no one could be either a good citizen or a good Christian, and he convinced everyone around him of this. The veneration of Plato among educated Florentines became almost a religious cult, rivaling the worship of Christ himself. In many houses, lit lamps were placed in front of the bust of the philosopher.

Old Cosimo loved to spend warm spring days at his Villa Careggi. Pruning the vines with his own hands, he listened as his favorite, young Marsilio Ficino, read him passages from the works of Plato and recited ancient odes, accompanying himself on the lyre. It was during one of these readings that this uncrowned ruler of Florence died. Grateful fellow citizens wrote on his tombstone: “Here lies Cosimo de’ Medici, by decision of the state - “father of the fatherland.”

Cosimo's heir was his grandson Lorenzo. And again at the Villa Careggi, among the oak forests that surrounded it, poetry and music were heard, philosophical conversations were held, in which the grandchildren of Cosimo, Lorenzo and Giuliano, their friends - poets, painters, architects, secular and clergy took part. They called themselves the “Platonov Family”, or members of the Platonov Academy - a free society of people of different ranks and property status who loved ancient culture.

Unanimously elected head of the Academy, the favorite of the late Cosimo de' Medici, the matured Marsilio Ficino called himself a "Platonic philosopher, theologian and physician." Without haste, he translated to Latin language all the famous works of Plato and other ancient philosophers and historians.

Lorenzo, nicknamed the Magnificent, and his friends sought to imitate not only their studies in the fine arts, philosophy and literature, but also adopted their manner of dressing, talking, and behaving in society. Baldassare Castiglione's treatise "The Courtier" listed all the qualities of an educated person: the ability to fight well with swords, ride gracefully, dance exquisitely, always express himself pleasantly and politely, speak eloquently, be fluent in any musical instrument, always behave simply and naturally, be secular to the core and a believer at heart.

Lorenzo de' Medici listened carefully to Ficino's words when the conversation turned to God and man. Ficino had by then become rector cathedral in Florence, and all people who considered themselves well-bred gathered at his sermon. He told his listeners that man stands at the pinnacle of creation not because he can comprehend the laws of divine creation, but because he himself is capable of creative creation. The great divine work that culminated in the creation of man is repeated in the work of man himself, who imitates God with precision and unites with him in this. Man can be called a divine artist.

Ficino argued that human power is almost like divine power; what God created in the world with his thought, the human mind conceives in itself through an intellectual act, expresses through language, depicts, creating buildings and works of art.

Ficino's contemporary Nicholas of Cusa argued that God is creativity, and man is created in the image and likeness of God; therefore, man is also a creator.

Member of "Plato's Family" Pico della Mirandola goes even further. He argues that if God is the creator of himself, and man is created in the image and likeness of God, then man must also create himself.

Lorenzo Medici listened to his friends, invited prominent people of his time to Florence, commissioned the best artists to build palaces, temples, public buildings and decorate them with frescoes and paintings, royally bestowing gifts on the creators. He agreed with his friend Ficino, who argued that a golden age had come, giving rise to golden minds and talents, reviving the liberal arts that had almost died in the past - grammar, poetry, rhetoric, painting, architecture and the ancient singing of the lyre of Orpheus. And all this happened in Florence.

It seemed that these people, who were talking about divine universal love and creativity, did not see what was happening around them. They wanted life to be a constant celebration, a series of successive carnivals, theatrical performances, military shows at which citizens showed off their manners, beautiful wives and lovers, and the wealth acquired by their fathers and grandfathers.

For one of the carnivals, Lorenzo composed a song that was loved by the residents of Florence. It contained these words:

Oh, how beautiful youth is
But instantly. Sing and laugh!
Be happy who wants happiness
And don't hope for tomorrow.

The sad “tomorrow” came in 1478. Some influential Florentines, led by representatives of the hostile Medici house of Pazzi, who did not want to come to terms with the rise and unlimited power of their rivals, planned to overthrow the Medici and seize power in Florence. On April 26, during a solemn service in the city cathedral, the conspirators surrounded the unsuspecting Medici brothers. Giuliano fell, struck by the assassin's dagger. Lorenzo, wounded, took refuge in the sacristy of the cathedral.

The conspirators hoped that they would be supported by the rest of the citizens of Florence. But that did not happen. And then the Medici began to take revenge: almost all the conspirators were captured and hanged on the streets of the city. Only Giuliano's killer, Bernardo Bandini, a dissolute and unscrupulous man, managed to escape. A year later he showed up in Constantinople, hoping that he had escaped Lorenzo's revenge. The same, having learned about this, turned to the Turkish Sultan himself with a request to extradite the killer. Bandini was brought to Florence, chained and promptly hanged where the bodies of his accomplices hung a year before. The city fathers adopted a resolution according to which every attempt on the life and well-being of Lorenzo was henceforth considered as “lese majeste” and was to be punished in the most severe manner.

It turned out that preaching universal love is easier than following this sermon. A merciless political struggle broke out in Florence. Executions, murders, expulsions, pogroms, torture, arson and robbery followed each other. When someone died a famous person, rumors about his poisoning spread throughout the city. Lorenzo's family did not escape suspicion of murder and other crimes, of which his heirs were also accused. For example, contemporaries claimed that Cosimo I de' Medici (1519-1574) killed his son Garzia in a fit of anger, and Pietro, Cosimo's son, struck his wife Eleanor to death with a dagger.

The permissiveness and impunity of those in power led to a decline in the morals of the rest of the townspeople. To harm their enemies, the Florentines made magic potions and summoned demons. Many believed in ghosts, the evil eye, corruption and black horsemen who intended to destroy Florence. Instead of holy water, as Christians should, they used potions made from crushed hair, bones and clothes of the dead. Marsilio Ficino himself, for example, studied alchemy and astrology, compiling horoscopes for the children of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Who was to condemn the inhabitants of Florence if even the highest clergy - the Pope - behaved in a similar way?

And then a man appeared in the city who publicly began to denounce the vice. His name was Girolamo Savonarola. He was born in Ferrara, into a family of famous doctors. His parents wanted him to inherit the family profession. But the young man wanted to become a priest. In his sermons, he argued that without moral virtues, both an individual and an entire society would inevitably find themselves on the brink of death.

In 1491, Savonarola was elected rector of the cathedral in Florence. That's when Lorenzo Medici heard about him. It was strange for him to see a man, even a clergyman, who dared to reproach him for despotism, robbery of fellow citizens, and various malicious intents. Lorenzo tried to tame the brave preacher. He often went to the cathedral, made rich contributions, and invited Savonarola to his palace. It was all in vain. Savonarola openly announced that great changes must be expected, since the time of life allotted to Lorenzo by God was expiring and the Last Judgment and fiery Gehenna awaited him.

By that time, Lorenzo was actually seriously ill, and his soul longed for peace, remission of sins. He did not trust his confessors, knowing their cowardice and corruption. Lorenzo wanted to confess to a man whom he had come to respect for his courage and integrity. Savonarola came to the dying Lorenzo, but agreed to confess to him certain conditions: he must trust in the infinite mercy of God, correct the consequences of the crimes committed or bequeath this to his sons and, last but most importantly, return freedom to the Florentine people. This last condition infuriated Lorenzo, and Savonarola left without giving him absolution. On April 8, 1492, Lorenzo the Magnificent died.

His heir Pierrot is handsome and frivolous person- in a short time, with his stupidity and arrogance, he achieved universal hatred of himself and an increase in the number of like-minded people of Savonarola. While Piero squandered the wealth of the Medici house, Savonarola stubbornly built his home - a monastic community. In the monastery, he introduced a strict vow of poverty, prohibiting all sorts of excesses and luxury. Monks had to do useful work. Savonarola organized schools where fine arts, philosophy, morality, law, Holy Scripture, languages ​​- Greek, Hebrew, etc. were studied.

Not without his influence, on November 19, 1494, Piero de' Medici was deposed by the inhabitants of Florence and fled first to Venice and then to Rome, where he began to weave intrigues against Savonarola.

After the escape of the Medici, Savonarola proposed his program of action to the city fathers. A Grand Council was established in the city, in which all residents could take part upon reaching 29 years of age. The Council had full power, and executive power was vested in the Small Council, where the most worthy were elected.

Savonarola proposed judicial reform and a general amnesty. The rector of the cathedral carried out all these events without coercion or violence, using only his authority and ability to persuade.

Preaching repentance and moral revival, he was not a persecutor of art and science. When it became known about the sale of the huge library of the Medici house, which had been collected for more than one generation, Savonarola did everything possible to preserve it. He ordered the sale of part of the monastery lands, made a large loan in his own name, bought the library and opened it for public use.

Savonarola had strong enemies, and they were not idle. Accusations of heresy and various provocations followed each other. On the initiative of Pope Alexander VI, he was arrested and tortured, but the executioners did not force him to renounce his previous views and deeds.

On May 23, 1498, Savonarola was hanged, and then his body was burned and his ashes were scattered. He was only 45 years old. Piero de' Medici could triumph: his enemy was defeated. But the Medici did not return to Florence until 1512. They left too evil a memory of themselves. And when they returned, it turned out that history had taught them nothing. Again, they are indispensable participants in coups, executions, and violence. In 1527, the Medici family again had to flee Florence from the retribution of their fellow citizens. After this, when they returned again, they became more careful, trying to avoid aggravating relations with the Florentines, who still remembered the taste of freedom.

In 1569, the Medici received the title of Grand Dukes of Tuscany from the Pope. Their power was absolute, based on their own, albeit small, army.

The history of the Medici family is still waiting for its researcher. Its members included heroes and criminals; people capable of high, noble deeds and low betrayal; free farmers, artisans, townspeople, merchants, financiers, crowned and uncrowned rulers, but they were all people of their extraordinary time. And each of them could say about themselves in the words of the Renaissance poet Francois Villon:

I know how flies land on honey,
I know Death, who prowls, destroying everything,
I know books, truths and rumors,
I know everything, but not myself!

The dynasty of bankers from this city gave the world three popes, two queens and countless masterpieces of world culture. But 300 years ago the family began to fade away. “Around the World” spoke with one of the last Medici, Prince Ottaviano

Your ancestors practically built Florence, which today is visited by many people from different corners peace. And you want to protect it from tourist flows. But tourists mean both money and fame...

Florence is my family's city, so it is my responsibility to take care of it. I founded the Save Florence association to protect the city of my ancestors from destruction. Every year several million tourists come to Florence, visiting three or four well-known places. I'm sorry to admit it, but mass tourism is causing irreparable harm to Florence. For example, to get into the Uffizi Gallery, people stand in line for hours, leaning on the columns of the gallery, which have already been stripped from the base to the height of a human being. Unfortunately, government departments only charge exorbitant prices for entrance fees to city museums.

What needs to be done to keep the city intact and tourists happy?

The main idea of ​​the association and my main concern today is to distribute the tourist masses to the nearest towns and expand the seasonality of tourism.

Why did you decide to save Florence? After all, they were born and raised in Milan...

The Medici did a lot for Florence, everyone knows me here, I am a member of the famous historical family of the Medici di Toscana di Ottaiano. In Florence I always have a special feeling - here I am at home, and often on the street I hear from strangers: “Hello, Ottaviano. How are you?" They perceive me as part of Florence. City residents are constantly asking to sort out this or that problem. For example, the city authorities decided to launch the first tram in Florence - cut down a green boulevard and make the final stop right at the male dignity of the statue of David! I don’t have the financial capabilities that my ancestors had, but I have connections, a name, ideas - in general, I help the city not financially, but mentally. Most of the buildings in historical center was built by order of the Medici and belonged to my family. To be a member of such great family- means to manage your cultural heritage how industrialists manage enterprises.

Do you have experience in business management? What did your parents do?

They were factory owners. In 1920, my grandfather moved from Naples to Milan, where he opened a factory producing chemical substances. After graduating from the university, I worked there for three years and, perhaps, would have worked all my life, like my grandfather and father, but I had thoughts about Florence, about returning to my historical homeland and doing something useful for it, like my great ancestors. stronger.

What are other descendants of the Medici doing for historical homeland? Here is the young Prince Lorenzo de' Medici, who actively participates in public life, travels around the world on PR visits...

This is an impostor. The House of Medici won the case against Mr. Lorenzo the so-called Medici, and the court ruled that the only legitimate descendants of the Medici royal family were members of my family. Today there are only eight of us with the surname Medici, I mean descendants in the male line. My cousin Giovanni Battista lives in Naples and has three sons. The eldest is taking part in my program. I also have three sons, one of them lives in London. There is also a branch of the Medici Tornaquinci in Rome. Our Ottaiano branch is closest to the royal line of Grand Duke Alessandro. IN this moment I am the oldest male of the Grand Duke line. And since I live in Florence, I was appointed the official representative of the dynasty and the head of the House of Medici.

It is known that Alessandro was very cruel. Under him, torture and executions were common...

...And he did not die a natural death. He was killed by his cousin Lorenzino de' Medici, who later announced that he did it for the good of the city. And Alexandre Dumas in the novel “Night in Florence under Alessandro Medici” depicted everything in a romantic light. So, Alessandro did not leave a legal heir. He did not live even a year with his wife Margarita of Parma. His mistress gave birth to a child. The ancestor of our Ottaiano family, Giulia Medici, was only a year old when her father was killed. In 1567, she and her husband Bernardetto acquired the Ottaiano estate (now the Palazzo Mediceo in the commune of Ottaviano). Our line of Medici di Ottaiano began with them.

Which of the great ancestors is closest to you in spirit?

Oh, this is, of course, our Julia, Cosimo I and Lorenzo the Magnificent. They lived in a wonderful time and did what I want to do for Florence now. They not only managed finances, but also tried to preserve and enhance the economy and traditions, establish relationships with artists and sculptors, and help people. I have a dream to gather all the remaining Medici in Florence to raise the city together. We may not have real political power, but we do have a name and a document from Pope Pius, according to which power forever belongs to the Medici family.

Are there places in Florence where you feel a special connection with your ancestors?

If I want to pray, I go to the Church of San Lorenzo. This is the Medici family church. There is our family crypt, the tombs of the most famous representatives kind. The church is small and is attended mostly by locals.

When I moved to Florence, I bought a historic villa here, it used to belong to the Medici family. But my wife took it away. Just kidding: I just decided that public life for me it’s more important than personal, and I got divorced, left the villa to my wife, and she sold the mansion to some Russian rich people. Now I work here in the Palazzo on Via Borgo Santi Apostoli, sharing premises with the school of economics, and living in an apartment opposite. But everywhere in Florence I feel comfortable. When I first brought my four-year-old son into the courtyard of the Uffizi Gallery, I told him: “Son, this is your home!” Since then, we often visited there with him - we went to play, talk, admire the frescoes, as our ancestors did for several centuries.

Medici di Tuscany

The large Medici tree had some of its important branches dry out over time. Today, Prince Ottaviano di Ottaiano represents the family closest to the royal line and is confident that his family will never fade away

Photo: GETTY IMAGES / FOTOBANK.COM, LORENZO ACCIAI, Illustration: Mina Milk, Alexander Dragin