The Medici Family

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The Medici Family
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• The Medici family was a powerful and influential
  Florentine family.

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• Family attained its greatest prominence as
  members became
• during the 15th and 16th centuries.

key characters
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Cosimo de Medici

• (1389-1464).
• A wealthy banker who became the leading citizen
  of Florence in the 15th century.

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• Wealth and flair for business inherited from
  father
• Giovanni di Bicci de Medici.

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Cosimo

• worked to create peace in Northern Italy.

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• He controlled the government in Florence and
  distributed political jobs.

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• Spent large amounts of money to beautify the city
  and encourage
• and

artists sculptors
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• Cosimo had many churches and monasteries built.
  He endowed libraries with books.

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Piero de Medici

• (1416-1469).
• Son of Cosimo
• Piero the Gouty
• Got his nickname from his perpetual poor health.

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• He continued to collect
• adding many to the Medici collection.

rare books
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• He died in
• due to gout and lung disease.

1469
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• Lorenzo di Piero de Medici
• During his rule, Florence achieved great
  splendor as a center for the arts.

Jan 1, 1449- April 8, 1492
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• Lorenzo was well educated and an
• He surrounded himself with

excellent poet
scholars and artists
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• Lorenzo ruled Florence during the
• and honored the spirit of the Renaissance.

Golden Age