Medici
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2008-07-15T16:01:34Z
Bjweeks
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/Pink!Teen|Pink!Teen]] ([[User talk:Pink!Teen|talk]]) to last version by Storeye
{{For|the board game|Medici (board game)}}
{{Infobox Family
| colour = LightCoral
| name =Medici
| crest = [[Image:Coat of Arms of Medici.svg|100px]]
| caption = Money to get power, and power to guard the money''
| ethnicity =
| region =
| early_forms =
| origin =
| members =[[Lorenzo de' Medici]]<br />[[Catherine de' Medici|Catherine]]<br />[[Pope Leo X|Leo X]]<br />[[Pope Clement VII|Clement VII]]<br />[[Pope Leo XI|Leo XI]]
| otherfamilies =
| distinctions =
| traditions =
| heirlooms =
| estate =
| meaning =
| footnotes =
}}
<!-- Do not add Pius IV! I quote from the Pius IV article, "Giovanni Angelo de Medici was born of humble parentage in Milan, unrelated with the Medicis of Florence." Catholic Encyclopedia: "The Medici of Milan lived in humble circumstances and the proud Florentine house of the same name claimed no kindred with them until Cardinal Medici was seated on the papal throne." Columbia Encyclopedia: "He was probably not related to the great Medici family." -->
The '''Medici''' family was a powerful and influential [[Florence|Florentine]] family from the 13th to 17th century. The family produced three [[pope]]s ([[Pope Leo X|Leo X]], [[Pope Clement VII|Clement VII]], and [[Pope Leo XI|Leo XI]]), numerous rulers of [[Florence]] (notably [[Lorenzo de' Medici|Lorenzo the Magnificent]], patron of some of the most famous works of [[Renaissance]] art), and later members of the [[France|French]] and [[England|English]] [[Royal family|royalty]]. Like other [[Signore]] families they dominated their city's government. They were able to bring Florence under their family's power, allowing for an environment where art and [[humanism]] could flourish. They led the birth of the [[Italian Renaissance]] along with the other great [[signore]] families of Italy like the [[House of Visconti|Visconti]] and [[House of Sforza|Sforza]] families of [[Milan]], the [[House of Este|Este]] of [[Ferrara]], the [[House of Gonzaga|Gonzaga]] of [[Mantua]], and others.
The [[Medici Bank]] was one of the most prosperous and most respected in Europe. There are some estimates that{{Fact|date=July 2008}} the Medici family was, for a period of time, the wealthiest family in Europe. From this base, the family acquired [[political power]] initially in Florence, and later in wider Italy and Europe. A notable contribution to the profession of [[accounting]] was the improvement of the general ledger system through the development of the [[double-entry bookkeeping system]] for tracking credits and debits. This system was first used by accountants working for the Medici family in Florence.
==History==
The Medici family came from the agricultural [[Mugello region]], north of [[Florence]], being mentioned for the first time in a document of 1230.{{Fact|date=March 2008}}
The origin of the name is uncertain although its Italian meaning is "medical doctor". Members of the family rose to some prominence in the early 14th century in the [[wool]] trade, especially with [[France]] and [[Spain]]. Despite the presence of some Medici in the city's government institutions, they were still far less notable than outstanding families such as the [[Albizzi]] or the [[Strozzi]]. One [[Salvestro de' Medici]] was speaker of the woolmakers' guild during the [[Ciompi]] revolt, and one Antonio was sentenced to death in 1396. The involvement in another plot in 1400 caused all branches of the family to be banned from Florence's politics for twenty years, with the exception of two: from one of the latter, that of Averardo (Bicci) de' Medici, originated the Medici dynasty.
Averardo's son, [[Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici|Giovani di Bicci]], increased the wealth of the family through his creation of the [[Medici Bank]], and became one of the richest men in the city. Although never held any political charge, he gained a strong popular support to the family when he supported the introduction of a proportional taxing system.
His son [[Cosimo de' Medici|Cosimo the Elder]] took over in 1434 as [[gran maestro]], and the Medici became unofficial heads of state of the Florentine republic.<ref name="godfathers part 1">{{cite video |people=Bradley, Richard (executive producer) |year2=2003 |title=The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance (Part I) |medium= [[DVD]]|publisher=[[PBS]] Home Video |location=|url=http://www.pbs.org/empires/medici/}}</ref>
[[Image:Sandro Botticelli 056.jpg|thumb|left||The family of [[Piero di Cosimo de' Medici|Piero de' Medici]] portrayed by [[Sandro Botticelli]] in the ''[[Madonna del Magnificat]]''.]]
The "senior" branch of the family — those descended from Cosimo the Elder — ruled until the assassination of [[Alessandro de' Medici]], first [[Duke of Florence]], in 1537. This century-long rule was only interrupted on two occasions (between 1494–1512 and 1527–1530), when popular revolts sent the Medici into exile. Power then passed to the "junior" branch — those descended from [[Lorenzo di Cosimo de' Medici|Lorenzo the Elder]], younger son of Giovanni di Bicci, starting with his great-great-grandson [[Cosimo I de' Medici|Cosimo I the Great]]. The Medici's rise to power was chronicled in detail by [[Benedetto Dei]].
Cosimo and his father started the Medici foundations in banking, manufacturing - including a form of franchises - wealth, art, cultural patronage, and in the Papacy that ensured their success for generations. At least half, probably more, of Florence’s people were employed by them and their foundational branches in business.
===15th century===
[[Image:Gozzoli magi.jpg|thumb|Medici family members placed allegorically in the entourage of a king from the [[Biblical Magi|Three Wise Men]] in the Tuscan countryside in a [[Benozzo Gozzoli]] fresco, c. 1459.]]
Piero de' Medici (1416-1469), Cosimo’s son, stayed in power for only five years (1464-1469). He was called Piero the Gouty because of the gout that infected his foot, and it eventually led to his death. Unlike his father, he had little interest in the arts. Due to his illness, he mostly stayed at home bedridden, and therefore had done little to further the Medici control of Florence while in power. As such, Medici rule stagnated until his grandson Lorenzo took over. [[Lorenzo de' Medici]] “the Magnificent” (1449-1492), was more capable of leading and ruling a city. However, “Magnificent” was a common title and essentially does not mean anything special in itself. He showed his children great love and affection, too. To ensure the continuance of his success, Lorenzo perceived his children’s abilities and planned their futures and careers for them. He predicted, or rather forced, Piero II to be headstrong, Giovanni a scholar, and Giuliano--not to be confused with Lorenzo’s brother who had the same first name--good. Giuliano, Lorenzo’s brother, was assassinated in church on Easter Sunday (1478). Lorenzo adopted Giuliano’s illegitimate son, Giulio de' Medici (1478-1535), the future Clement VII. The incompetent [[Piero di Lorenzo de' Medici|Piero II]] took over as the head of Florence after his father Lorenzo's death. Piero was responsible for the expulsion of the Medici from 1494-1512.
The Medici remained masters of Italy through their two famous 16th century popes, [[Leo X]] and [[Clement VII]], who were ''de facto'' rulers of both Rome and Florence. They were both patrons of the arts, but in the religious field they proved unable to stem the advance of [[Martin Luther]]'s ideas. Another Medici became Pope: Alessandro Ottaviano de' Medici ([[Leo XI]]).
The most outstanding figure of the 16th century Medici was [[Cosimo I de' Medici|Cosimo I]], who, coming from a retire in the [[Mugello]], rose to supremacy in the whole of [[Tuscany]], conquering the Florentines' most hated rival [[Republic of Siena|Siena]] and founding the [[Grand Duchy of Tuscany]].
==Art and architecture==
The most significant accomplishments of the Medici were in the sponsorship of [[art]] and [[architecture]], mainly early and High Renaissance art and architecture. The Medici were responsible for the majority of Florentine art during their reign. Their money was significant because during this period, artists generally only made their works when they received commissions and advance payments. Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici, the first patron of the arts in the family, aided [[Masaccio]] and commissioned [[Filippo Brunelleschi|Brunelleschi]] for the reconstruction of the [[Basilica of San Lorenzo, Florence]] in 1419. [[Cosimo de' Medici|Cosimo the Elder's]] notable artistic associates were [[Donatello]] and [[Fra Angelico]]. The most significant addition to the list over the years was [[Michelangelo|Michelangelo Buonarroti]] (1475-1564), who produced work for a number of Medici, beginning with [[Lorenzo de' Medici|Lorenzo the Magnificent]]. Lorenzo commissioned him often, even as a child, and was extremely fond of him. Lorenzo commissioned [[Leonardo da Vinci]] (1452-1519) for seven years. Lorenzo also was an artist of poetry and song. Later, [[Pope Leo X]] would chiefly commission [[Raphael]] (1483-1520) — "the Prince of Painters." [[Pope Clement VII]] commissioned Michelangelo to paint the altar wall of the [[Sistine Chapel]]; the de' Medici family oversaw the construction of the Sistine Chapel as well.
Under [[Girolamo Savonarola|Savonarola's]] fanatical leadership, many great works were "voluntarily" destroyed in the [[Bonfire of the Vanities]] ([[February 7]], [[1497]]). The following year, on [[May 23]], [[1498]], Savonarola and his two young supporters were hanged in the public square, the same location as his bonfire.
In addition to commissions for art and architecture, the Medici were prolific collectors and today their acquisitions form the core of the [[Uffizi]] museum in Florence.
In architecture, the Medici are responsible for some notable features of Florence; including the [[Uffizi|Uffizi Gallery]], the [[Palazzo Pitti|Pitti Palace]], the [[Boboli Gardens]], the [[Belvedere (fort)|Belvedere]], and the [[Palazzo Medici Riccardi|Palazzo Medici]].
Although none of the Medici themselves were scientists, the family is well known to have been the patrons of the famous [[Galileo Galilei]], who tutored multiple generations of Medici children, and was an important figurehead for his patron's quest for power. Galileo's patronage was eventually abandoned by [[Ferdinando II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany|Ferdinando II]], when the [[Roman Inquisition|Inquisition]] accused Galileo of heresy. However, the Medici family did afford the scientist a safe haven for many years. Galileo named the four largest moons of [[Jupiter]] after four Medici children he tutored.
* Eleonora of Toledo, princess of Spain and wife of Cosimo I the Great, purchased the Pitti Palace from [[Buonaccorso Pitti]] in 1550.
* Cosimo I the Great patronized [[Giorgio Vasari|Vasari]] who erected the Uffizi Gallery in 1560 and founded the [[Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze|Academy of Design]] in 1562.
* [[Marie de' Medici]], widow of [[Henry IV of France]] and mother of [[Louis XIII of France|Louis XIII]], is the subject of a commissioned cycle of paintings known as the [[Marie de' Medici cycle]], painted for the [[Luxembourg Palace]] by court painter [[Peter Paul Rubens]] in 1622-23.
==Notable members==
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* [[Salvestro de' Medici]] (1331–1388), led the assault against the revolt of the [[ciompi]], became dictator of Florence, and banished in 1382
* [[Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici]] (1360–1429), restored the family fortune
* [[Cosimo de' Medici|Cosimo the Elder]] (1389–1464), founder of the Medici political dynasty
* [[Lorenzo de' Medici|Lorenzo the Magnificent]] (1449–1492), leader of [[Florence]] during the Golden Age of the [[Renaissance]]
* [[Pope Leo X|Giovanni de' Medici]] (1475–1523), Pope Leo X
* [[Pope Clement VII|Giulio de' Medici]] (1478–1534), Pope Clement VII
* [[Cosimo I de' Medici|Cosimo I the Great]] (1519–1574), First Grand Duke of Tuscany who restored the Medici lustre
* [[Catherine de' Medici]] (1519–1589), Queen of [[France]]
* [[Pope Leo XI|Alessandro Ottaviano de' Medici]] (1535–1605), Pope Leo XI
* [[Marie de' Medici]] (1575–1642), Queen and Regent of [[France]]
* [[Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici]] (1667–1743) the last of the Medici line
==See also==
* [[Alberti (surname)|Alberti]]
* [[Albizzi]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
===Text===
*Miles J. Unger, "Magnifico: The Brilliant Life and Violent Times of Lorenzo de Medici" (Simon and Schuster 2008) is a vividly colorful new biography of this true "renaissance man", the uncrowned ruler of Florence during its golden age
* [[Christopher Hibbert]], ''The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall'' (Morrow, 1975) is a highly readable, non-scholarly general history of the family
* [[Ferdinand Schevill]], ''History of Florence: From the Founding of the City Through the Renaissance'' (Frederick Ungar, 1936) is the standard overall history of Florence
* [[Paul Strathern]], ''The Medici - Godfathers of the Renaissance'' (Pimlico, 2005) is an informative and lively account of the Medici family, their finesse and foibles - extremely readable, though very homophobic and full of typographical errors.
* [[Lauro Martines]], "April Blood - Florence and the Plot Against the Medici" (Oxford University Press 2003) a detailed account of the Pazzi Conspiracy, the players, the politics of the day, and the fallout of the assassination plot . Though accurate in historic details, Martines writes with a definite 'anti-Medici' tone.
* [http://www.franzarlinghaus.de/Arlinghaus%20ArtBookkeeping.pdf Accounting in Italy]
* [[Herbert Millingchamp Vaughan]], [http://www.archive.org/details/medicipopesleoxc00vauguoft ''The Medici Popes'']. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1908.
* [[Jonathan Zophy]], ''A Short History of Renaissance and Reformation Europe, Dances over Fire and Water''. 1996. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2003.
* [[Villa Niccolini (Camugliano)]], ''Villa Niccolini, is one of the Medici's tuscany villa previously called Villa Medicea di Camugliano, Villa Niccolini is located east from Ponsacco, near a little feudal village, Camugliano.''
===Documentaries===
* TLC/Peter Spry-Leverton.PSL, [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-22-2004/0002216122&EDATE= ''The Mummy Detectives: The Crypt Of The Medici''] One-hour documentary. Italian specialists, joined by mummy expert and TLC presenter Dr. Bob Brier exhume the bodies of Italy's ancient first family and use the latest forensic tools to investigate how they lived and died. Airs on Discovery Channel.
* {{citeweb |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/amongstthemedici.shtml |work=[[BBC Radio 4]] |title="Among the Medici" (3-part radio series) |date=2006}}
* {{citeweb |url=http://www.pbs.org/empires/medici/ |work=[[PBS]] |title="Empires: The Medici, Godfathers of the Renaissance" (4 part television series) |date=2003}}
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==External links==
{{Commons|Famiglia Medici}}
* [http://tuscany-toscana.info/history_of_the_medici_family.htm Outline of the history of the Medici family]
* [http://tuscany-toscana.info/medici_manuscript.htm Genealogical manuscript on the house of the Medici]
* {{de icon}} [http://www.chh.de.free.fr/archiv/Sonstiges/medici.php Genealogical tree of the house of the Medici]
* [http://www.pbs.org/empires/medici/renaissance/galileo.html Galileo and the Medici Family at PBS]
* [http://www.paradoxplace.com/Perspectives/Italian%20Images/Montages/Firenze/Medici%201.htm Adrian Fletcher’s Paradoxplace–3 pages of Medici portraits and history]
* [http://www.medici.org Medici Archive Project]
* {{CathEncy|wstitle=House of Medici}}
[[Category:House of Medici|*]]
[[Category:Papal families]]
[[Category:European royal families]]
[[Category:Culture in Florence]]
[[Category:History of Florence]]
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