13. Italy. Florence. The Medici dynasty and the great creators of the Renaissance. Part 3. August 14th, 2013

Part 3. After 1537. Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

And then in 1537 Cosimo I de' Medici appeared on the scene.

Agnolo Bronzino. Portrait of Cosimo I de' Medici in armor. 1545. Uffizi, Florence.

Let me remind you that we settled on the fact that with the death of Cosimo I’s predecessor, Alessandro, the Medici branch, running along the male line from Cosimo the Elder, was interrupted. However, Maria Salviati, daughter of the daughter of Lorenzo the Magnificent, lived. She was the mother of Cosimo I, that is, he was the great-grandson of Lorenzo the Magnificent through his mother and grandmother. True, he was considered a Medici not by his mother, but by his father)).

Cosimo's father, Giovanni de' Medici, known as Giovanni delle Bande Neri, was the great-grandson of Cosimo the Elder's younger brother, Lorenzo the Elder, that is, he represented a completely legitimate younger branch of the family, which had separated from the main trunk a century earlier. Giovanni was a notable figure, gaining a reputation as an able military leader and the respect of Niccolò Machiavelli, but, unfortunately, he died of a wound at the age of 28. By order of his son, a monument to him by Baccio Bandinelli was erected in Piazza San Lorenzo.

In order not to get completely confused with the genealogy of the Medici, I’ll give you their tree.

So, Cosimo I. For us, he is interesting primarily because you come across his name on every corner. During his time in Florence, a vast layer of works of the Mannerist era was created, which became in fact the last significant cultural layer of the city. During his reign, many objects in the heart of the city acquired their current appearance.

Cosimo inherited the title of Duke of Florence with the support of the influential families of the duchy, who had hopes of using it to their advantage. However, having received official confirmation of his rights, he quickly showed authoritarianism, defeated and executed the dissatisfied, and subsequently pursued a firm policy of establishing absolute power. Cosimo strengthens existing and builds new forts and fortresses in Tuscany, strengthens the army, annexes Siena to his possessions, and develops a network of roads and ports. He tries to raise the status of the Duchy of Florence in the foreign policy arena to a kingdom, and in 1569 he manages to upgrade his state to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany with a papal bull))) and receive the crown in Rome from the hands of the pope.

In the appropriate ideological vein, Cosimo I formulates an order for court artists, who in every possible way glorify the ducal power and him personally, and at the same time erase memories of the free times of the republic. In 1563, the Duke founded the Academy of Fine Arts, and at his court Giorgio Vasari, Benvenuto Cellini, Agnolo Bronzino, and Bartolomeo Ammannati found patronage and work.

At the beginning of his reign, Cosimo moves from the family residence of the Palazzo Medici Riccardi to the Palazzo Vecchio, turning the symbol of city government into the personal residence of the dukes. For him, a large-scale reconstruction is being carried out there, which concerns in particular the Republican Hall of the Five Hundred, which I will talk about in the next post. Then, in addition to Michelangelo’s David, the Piazza della Signoria and Loggia Lanzi are filled with sculptures. The fountain “Neptune” by Ammannati, “Hercules and Cacus” by Bandinelli, and “David” by Cellini appear there.

In 1550, the Duke's wife Eleanor of Toledo, in order to be able to get out of the busy center into fresh air))) acquired Palazzo Pitti on the other side of the river, which eight years later began to be rebuilt for the family of Bartolomeo Ammannati. This palace would later become the main residence of the Dukes of Tuscany. The Boboli Gardens are finally formed and filled with sculptures there. For a comfortable journey across the river above the old Ponte Vecchio bridge, Giorgio Vasari is completing a corridor named after himself))), and a little further Ammannati is modernizing and decorating the Santa Trinita bridge. In 1560, Vasari again began construction of the Uffizi Gallery. When mentioning Vasari, it should be noted that, despite his creative prolificacy and strong position under the duke, this artist and architect became famous more than for his works for the creation of “Lives of the Most Famous Painters, Sculptors and Architects” - the first encyclopedia of art, including biographies and descriptions of the works of 178 artists Renaissance. This collection is considered a fundamental work in the history of art and sometimes the only source of invaluable information about the creators of the Renaissance.

Cosimo I de' Medici died in 1574 at the age of only 54. But he laid a solid foundation for the dynasty of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, his branch of the family ruled Florence for 200 years. The marriage to Eleanor produced 11 children, two of whom later wore the ducal crown.

Cosimo I's eldest son Francesco I succeeds his father and reigns until his death in 1587.

Alessandro Allori. Portrait of Francesco I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. 1560. Art Institute, Chicago.

The Duke is interested in natural sciences and sets up a chemical laboratory and a cabinet of curiosities for himself in the Palazzo Vecchio - the Studio of Francesco I. He also continued his father’s work and in 1575 placed works of art from the Medici’s personal collection in the Uffizi Gallery, and thus founded one of the world’s best museums. Francesco leaves untimely due to his difficult personal life. Being married to the daughter of the Austrian Emperor Joanna, he loves a completely different woman, Bianca Capello. True, this love does not prevent him from giving birth through marriage to eight children, one of whom was the future queen of France, Marie de' Medici. However, the unfortunate Joanna dies at 31 and Francesco marries Bianca three months later. Bianca is hated and accused of poisoning Joanna. Francesco and Bianca die on the same day, in a country house during lunch with Ferdinando, Francesco's brother, as modern research has shown - from arsenic poisoning. Since Francesco's only son had already died by this time, it is his brother - Ferdinando - who becomes the beneficiary of this murder and inherits the crown. He was, however, accused of murder. Such nice people.

Ferdinando I is interesting to us mainly because Giambologna commissions a monumental monument to his father, which finds its place in Piazza della Signoria. He also patronizes another great Florentine - Galileo Galilei. The latter even calls the satellites of Saturn discovered by him “Medici Stars” in honor of Ferdinando’s sons. The next two dukes, Cosimo II and Ferdinando II, who was even his student, also received the honor of supporting the scientist.

In the 17th century, other cities and countries became centers of world culture. Florence, or rather the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, happily exists under the auspices of the Medici family until 1737, when the last Medici with the French name Gian Gastone (or Jean Gaston) dies. The Medici dynasty is replaced by the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty, the first of which is the husband of the famous Austrian Empress Maria Theresa, Francis I Stephen, and the duchy is actually dissolved in the empire. In 1801, Napoleon appeared on the scene and renamed the Duchy of Tuscany into the Kingdom of Etruria (a beautiful name...) and put the Bourbons there, then he changed his mind and annexed Etruria to France. In 1814, Napoleon disappeared from the arena and the Habsburgs-Lorraine returned to their rightful throne.

In 1861, Italy is united. In the short period from 1865 to 1871, Florence again played a key role as it became the capital of the united kingdom. This period is immortalized by the foundation of the strange and alien Republic Square, which, however, will be completed later, when Rome and the Papal States have already joined Italy and the capital has moved there.

And Florence - despite the centuries that have flown over it, it has remained the cradle of the beautiful Renaissance, an unsurpassed monument to this delightful and great era. That's why we love her.

In all of European history, there is no other family that has done as much for their city and country as the Medici did for Florence, Tuscany and Italy as a whole. The Medicis were known throughout Europe as a banking family: the Medici family banks took out loans to wage wars for the throne or with neighboring powers (and the warring parties often took out loans from the same Medici bank), the kings and rulers of Europe built castles and palaces, arranged luxurious feasts and balls with Medici money. Medici banks had branches throughout Europe: from London and Paris to Bruges, Geneva and Venice. It was the Medici who are considered the inventors of bills and letters of credit; traveler's checks from the Medici Bank were accepted for payment everywhere.

The Medici are inextricably linked with the great achievements of the Italian Renaissance. Thanks to their care and money, Florence became one of the main centers of Renaissance culture. The Medici were art connoisseurs and patrons of the most outstanding artists, sculptors and architects of the Renaissance.

There are several versions of the origin of the family name of the Medici family, whose representatives were the de facto rulers of Florence for 300 years. But the most plausible one is reflected on the Medici coat of arms: there are six balls in a golden field, the top azure ball is burdened with three golden lilies, the remaining balls are scarlet.

The Medici are the descendants of wealthy pharmacists, hence the “medical” surname, and the 5 red balls on the shield symbolize pills: the head of the family earned the coat of arms while working as a doctor at the royal court of Charlemagne. The blue ball with three golden royal lilies is an addition to the coat of arms that was granted to the Medici family in 1465 by Louis XI: among the representatives of the family are two queens of France - Catherine de' Medici and Marie de' Medici. The added keys of St. Peter and the papal tiara indicate that among the descendants of this family there were 4 popes - Leo X, Clement VII, Pius IV and Leo XI.

The Medici coat of arms is found everywhere in Florence: in the Uffizi Galleries,

in the Church of San Lorenzo,

at Palazzo Pitti,

on the pedestal of the monument to Giovanni Medici in Piazza San Lorenzo,

in the courtyard of Palazzo Vecchio

During the early Middle Ages, the Medici had small plots of land in the Mugello Valley (along the Sieve River) near Florence; by 1300, several of their representatives moved to Florence and the Medici were already part of the government and the guild of money changers. In the 14th century, there were already 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. Thus, in the years 1343-1360, five Medici were sentenced to death for various 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 prevented the Medici family from playing any significant role in the government of Florence during this period. Since the Medici were under suspicion of political unreliability and barred from holding public office, they turned all their energies to entrepreneurship: banking through their branches throughout Europe, as well as silk and textile production in Florence.

The Medici Bank became one of the most profitable enterprises in Europe thanks to Giovanni Medici, who is also considered the founder of the political power of the Medici family. In 1385, Giovanni headed the Rome branch of the Medici Bank and at the same time married very profitably, taking a huge dowry of 1,500 florins at that time. Successful investments of this money in cloth factories and in Venetian trade with the East bring enormous profits to Giovanni's bank.

The investment of Giovanni Medici's bank in the career of the former pirate Balthasar Cossa, to whom Giovanni lent 12,000 florins in 1401 to acquire the post of cardinal, turned out to be exceptionally far-sighted. Ten years later, the debtor Cossa was elected pope under the name of John XXIII, who went down in history as a false pope. The financial flows of the Catholic Church were very impressive and, of course, their servicing was entrusted to the bank of Giovanni Medici. In addition, a lot of cardinals and other dignitaries of the Holy See became clients of the Rome branch of the Medici Bank. Pope John XXIII, going to the Council of Constance, where he was condemned, left all his and church savings to Giovanni Medici. Many years later, after serving in prison, the defrocked false pope came to Giovanni for his goods, but received the following answer: “Pope John XXIII entrusted this property to me, so I will return everything to the last florin only to Pope John XXIII.”

Returning to Florence, Giovanni Medici already had a capital of 100,000 florins, which at current gold prices (and the florin was printed from pure gold) is equal to half a billion rubles. To further develop the affairs of the family bank and to expand his influence, Giovanni had to achieve a certain position in the Florentine government. In 1421, he was elected to the highest position of the executive power of Florence - Gonfaloniere of Justice. By occupying it, Giovanni became the first of the Medici family to almost single-handedly lead the political and economic life of the city-republic.

It was Giovanni Medici who opened the doors to fame for the first famous creators of the Renaissance - architects, sculptors and artists. At that time, the richest and most influential clans of Florence - the Albizzi and the Medici - sought in every possible way to contribute to the glorification of their native city, and therefore to the glorification of themselves. The easiest way to do this was to invest money in some significant object.

In 1402, a competition was announced for the production of bronze doors for the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Florence's Cathedral Square. Each clan nominated its protégé: the Albizzi family was represented by Philip Brunelleschi, and the upstart Medici (as the Florentine nobility then considered them) by Lorenzo Ghiberti. The competition commission was headed by Giovanni Medici, who made a truly Solomonic decision: to award victory to both contenders. Ultimately, the work was carried out by the Medici protege, Lorenzo Ghiberti, and thus a true masterpiece of the Renaissance appeared - the northern gates of the Baptistery and the eastern gates of the Baptistery, called the “Gates of Paradise”.

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The name Medici is heard quite often in Florence. This is not surprising; the Medici clan was in power in this city-state (with short interruptions) for 300 years. The socio-economic and cultural prosperity of Florence is associated with his name. Over the years, representatives of this family were financial magnates, occupied the papal throne and even the French throne.

The origin of the family name is unknown; according to one version, one of the founders of the clan was a doctor (medico) at the court of Charlemagne.

The founder of the dynasty is considered to be Giovanni Medici (1360-1429). After the death of his father, he, along with his five brothers, became the owner of a small inheritance, took up trade and by 1397 already had a capital of one hundred thousand florins, of which he earned more than half himself. In 1402, Giovanni Medici was first elected to the Signoria of government, of which he was prior several times. Later, he was elected to the highest position in the executive branch - Gonfaloniere of Justice. Occupying it, Giovanni almost single-handedly directs the political and economic life of the city-republic. This post opened up brilliant opportunities for Giovanni to establish connections outside the republic, including in Rome.

Soon these connections bore fruit. In 1409, he became a banker at the papal court, with whose support he founded branches of his bank in Bruges and London. Soon, the house of Medici received the exclusive right to sell alum used for glass production and fabric dyeing, a monopoly, the extraction of which was owned by the Pope.

Giovanni dies, the second richest man in the city. He leaves two sons - Cosimo (1389 - 1464) and Lorenzo (1394 - 1464). It was with Cosimo that the family’s political career began. He 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. Cosimo became a member of the ruling oligarchy, but his enormous wealth aroused the fears of one of the leaders of this oligarchy, Rinaldo degli Albizzi. 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 from Florence. The exile lasted one year, in 1434 Cosimo's friends won a majority in the government and the Medici were invited back.

During his political activity, 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. 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. He pushed Florence to support Francesco Sforza in his claim to the Visconti legacy - despite the opposition of Venice.

Cosimo de' Medici became an indispensable person in the Florentine government. 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. But, nevertheless, Cosimo gained the favor of citizens during his lifetime. He died in Carreggi in 1464.

After Cosimo's death, real power in Florence is in the hands of his son Pietro. No one challenged this right to power. Pietro did not leave a noticeable mark either in the history of Florence or in the history of the House of Medici.

Four years of his reign did not bring stability to the Medici clan. Seeing Pietro's sickness and weakness of character, a few months later the opposition tried to take power away from him. And even eliminate it physically. Next to Pietro, his son Lorenzo was already gaining strength. When Piero died in 1469, Lorenzo took power. His rise to power is marked by a complex internal confrontation between the house of Medici and the Pazzi family; Lorenzo wins and strengthens his position within the republic mainly thanks to the support of the residents of Florence. However, by Pope Sixtus IV, the victory of the Medici and the defeat of the Pazzi were perceived as a personal insult. Unable to physically eliminate the Medici, the Pope excommunicated him from the Church and threatened to excommunicate the entire republic if Lorenzo and his supporters were not handed over to the papal court within a month. The government in this conflict not only sided with Lorenzo Medici, but also gave him permission to create a personal guard. However, everyone understood the need for a compromise with the Pope. All attempts to negotiate were rejected by the pope, and he launched active military operations.

Florence accepts the challenge and turns to its allies for support. The King of France, the Duke of Milan and the German Emperor declare to the Pope their dissatisfaction with his policies. But Rome ignores this position and, having enlisted the support of Naples, begins hostilities. The war with Rome lasts about a year and a half and Lorenzo wins it not by force of arms, but by diplomacy. Despite all the warnings, he goes to Naples, whose king was considered one of the most treacherous rulers in Europe. However, the Medici manage to convince him that Florence under Medici rule is a more reliable ally than Rome, where popes come and go.

Subsequently, Lorenzo used the popularity that 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. Lorenzo 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. Lorenzo tried to create a paternalistic and at the same time totalitarian state out of Florence. He cares for the poor and infirm citizens of Florence. During the reign of Lorenzo de' Medici, even the peasants in the state-republic prospered, which does not happen in any other region of Italy.

But at the same time, there is an unprecedented interference in the personal lives of citizens. The Medici puts control over the process of merging the Florentine clans and prohibits all wealthy citizens from marrying without his permission. He constantly fears that the unification of powerful families will lead to the emergence of new competitors to the Medici, and creates a powerful network of informants and informers. At the same time, Lorenzo did not hold any official positions, was never elected as a member of the Signoria, and in case of conflicts he tries to adhere to a neutral side.

In foreign policy, he was most concerned about maintaining peace and tried to avoid any confrontations. However, in 1482 he participated in the struggle for Ferrara, and in 1485 in the conflict between the pope and Naples, in which Florence took the side of Naples, while maintaining close relations with Venice, which opposed the pope. This policy was aimed at maintaining peace in Italy. Also, to strengthen his position, Lorenzo entered into profitable marriage alliances between his relatives and prominent political figures.

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. The Medici Bank was forced to make risky investments and lend money to princes. According to some sources, Lorenzo de' Medici sometimes used public funds to support his own business.

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. Lorenzo died in Carreggi near Florence on April 9, 1492.

Thus, the period of rule of the Medici dynasty in Florence of the 15th century can be characterized as the era of cultural, political and economic prosperity of the republic - state.

The nose is “ducky”, more like a roof eaves, and even folded to one side. The lower jaw is pushed forward, due to which the lip appears disproportionately large and the whole appearance appears gloomy. The boy born into the family was long-awaited (two girls were born before him, and an heir is needed), but too unsightly. This was an era when people easily gave out nicknames both to entire groups of people and to specific rulers. Grandson Cosimo the Old and son Pierrot Gout, named Lorenzo, had every chance of remaining in history as some kind of “Lorenzo the Ugly” or “Lorenzo the Crooked”. But he became the “Godfather” of perhaps the most beautiful era in human history. An era that perhaps came closest to the absolute of beauty. Renaissance.

Cosimo Medici. Photo: Public Domain

Lorenzo family

When you owe a lot of money to someone powerful, like a king, you are in an awkward position. But when the king owes you, you are in mortal danger. The Medici clan was owed too much to allow them to live in peace. A few generations before Lorenzo, his ancestors, despite their surname (Medici - “medic”), began to engage in usury. Cosimo the Old (Lorenzo's grandfather) reached the heights of economic and political (then it was about the same thing) power. The cunning and tough banker Cosimo fought long and hard against competitors, envious people and debtors, eventually rising to the very heights of power. But skills, unlike fortune and a bank, cannot be inherited. Cosimo seriously planned the future of the family. He invited the great scientists of that time “to his court”, who studied with both his children and grandchildren. For example, the most famous philosopher at that time began teaching little Lorenzo Marsilio Ficino.

Cosimo saw his son as his successor Giovanni(to the detriment of his first-born Pierrot), whom he prepared for his future career. Piero was not considered as a future heir primarily for medical reasons (the irony of fate for the Medici family) indicators. He suffered from gout to such an extent that he was virtually unable to move freely. A disabled person confined within four walls is not a fighter in a brutal fight for power, especially in those days. But still he was a Medici. Therefore, Pierrot marries (naturally, by his father’s decision) Lucretia- representative of the union family Tornabuoni. She was not pretty, but incredibly smart, well-mannered and educated. And perhaps this is what will save the Medici family later. While Cosimo was still alive, his planned heir, Giovanni, died. Suddenly, the disabled Piero Gouty becomes the successor to the “throne” of the most powerful man in the Florentine Republic. With his wife Lucretia and four children in his arms. His eldest son Lorenzo was 15 years old at that time.

Piero de' Medici. Photo: Public Domain

Lorenzo's Growing Up

Multi-colored mosaic. Patchwork quilt. A gathering of relatives who are jealous of each other. This is roughly what 15th century Italy looks like from today’s position. The most beautiful peninsula, like a vegetable garden, is cut by borders. In the middle of it all, the Papal States is a secular state with a religious semi-monarch - the pope. To the south is the Kingdom of Naples. To the north are the “city-states”: the Duchy of Milan, Genoa, Venice. And the Florentine Republic. “Power Elites” - famous and powerful families of that time - Medici, Sforza, Orsini, Column, della Rovere. Today we are allies, tomorrow we are enemies again, the long-term weather forecast is unknown. And the “external players” that regularly get into Italian gardens are France and Spain.

Lorenzo came face to face with all this at the age of 20. His sick father did not rule for long - not possessing any special political talents, he became an easy target for intrigue and cunning plans. The Medici family was rapidly losing influence and allies. Inside Florence (formally a republic), they still retained a sufficient number of friends in the Signoria (a kind of analogue of parliament and government at the same time). But the Medici had to worry about maintaining influence (in their case, read about survival). Taking advantage of Piero's death, a military leader invades Florence Nardi. While Lorenzo is lucky, Nardi is defeated and dies. But along with his ugly appearance, Lorenzo inherited his mother's intelligence. Strengthened by excellent education and innate determination. Increased the financial capabilities of the Medici Bank. With rewards and intrigues, Lorenzo increases the number of friends and soon actually gains unofficial autocracy in Florence. His mother and younger brother help him in everything. Giuliano. The uncrowned king of a formal republic.

Portrait of Lucrezia Tornabuoni, presumably attributed to Ghirlandaio. National Gallery, Washington. Photo: Public Domain

Love Lorenzo

While still heir to Piero Gout, Lorenzo got married. Like his parents' marriage, it was a dynastic union. Became a wife Clarice Orsini. The bride for Lorenzo was chosen by his mother; she even described the candidate to him in letters, as if they were messages from the fair. But Clarice never became the closest person to Lorenzo. She bore him 10 children (two died in infancy), but she did not become a special love for either him or the city. Clarice was too pious to please the pampered Florentine Renaissance public. Another woman became Lorenzo’s muse - Lucrezia Donati.

Calm down, don't persist cruelly,

Eternal dreams and sighs about her,

So that quiet sleep does not pass your eyes,

Where the tears don't dry up.

These verses (given in translation E. Solonovich) - a piece of one of the many works written by Lorenzo in honor of Lucrezia. In her honor, he performed at knightly tournaments, and at celebrations he wore a wreath that she wove for him from flowers. He called her a goddess and compared her to Madonna, but could not be with her. Lorenzo met her when she was already married. And he, bearing the name Medici, did not have a single chance to marry for love. Lucrezia remained Lorenzo's main passion. She became what he was never able to achieve - their romance remained platonic until the very end.

The end of the date, alas, is unknown to me,

The fleeting dream melted away, and then

My reward has disappeared.

(Translation by R. Dubrovkin)

Andrea Verrocchio, t. "Flora" is a supposed portrait of Lucrezia Donati, c. 1480. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org / sailko

Lorenzo's cruelty

“This pope was the first to show how much power he has and how many things ... can be hidden under the cloak of papal authority.” So another great native of Florence Niccolo Machiavelli wrote subsequently about the Pope, known as Sixtus IV. He became pope in 1471, when in neighboring Florence the Medici family was still trying to regain their influence. But what's more important is that dad belonged to the family della Rovere. And he made the most of the possibilities of the papal throne for resolving secular issues (primarily for the benefit of his family). In the tenth year of the reign of Lorenzo de' Medici, a conspiracy arose in his hometown of Florence by another influential local family - Pazzi. Local merchants, financiers and politicians were involved in it. Among the conspirators were even an archbishop and a cardinal. Actually, the pope himself was behind the whole conspiracy, and this was known. Formally, the conspirators intended to “return the republic to Florence.” But in reality, the pope planned to hand over the power and wealth of Florence to his nephew. This plan did not involve the existence of the Medici family on earth.

The canonical postcard of Florence is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. A magnificent cathedral, famous for its incomparable red dome. It is under this dome that on April 26, 1478, a group of conspirators comes to kill Lorenzo and Giuliano de' Medici. It was planned that during the prayer service the brothers would be defenseless. Two Medici brothers found themselves in a cathedral filled with conspirators with daggers hidden under their clothes. Even Cardinal Riario, who served the prayer service, was a conspirator - he was the nephew of the Pope, who was supposed to “lead” Florence.” The service went according to script - the cardinal raised the Holy Gifts. The Medici brothers knelt. And then the titular killers attacked them. Giuliano died immediately. Lorenzo was saved by his physical fitness and determination. He began to resist - he was only wounded; the conspirators, who did not expect any harsh resistance, retreated for a while. Lorenzo took advantage of this moment and ran into the sacristy at the altar, hiding and locking himself in it. The attempt failed.

Santa Maria del Fiore. Photo: www.globallookpress.com

Lorenzo's answer was not long in coming. Taking advantage of his influence in the city on all segments of the population, the Medici mobilized all possible forces. Most of the conspirators were found immediately (these were famous people in the city). They didn’t even talk to them - some were literally torn to pieces by Lorenzo’s supporters. Those who escaped the instant reprisal did not meet a better fate. Lorenzo was adamant - the participants in the conspiracy were hanged on the windows of the Palazzo Vecchio - the very palace where the Signoria sits and from where they wanted to rule Florence. They found him and hung him for several days. Archbishop of Pisa, a participant in the conspiracy and (such coincidences do not happen) a relative of the Pope, was hanged right in his ceremonial vestments. Despite threats and pleas, they dragged him inside the palace, secured a rope in the room, threw a noose around the archbishop's neck and pushed the priest out the window. All of Florence saw how the enemy of the Medici twitched in a noose in his bright red robe and, in a vain attempt to save his life, even grabbed his teeth into the body of a representative of the Pazzi family hanging nearby.

The conspiracy, which was supposed to eliminate the entire Medici family, only rallied people around Lorenzo. The families of his enemies were stripped of their property and thrown into prison. Even the conspirator, who fled to Constantinople, did not take refuge. Subsequently, he was taken out of there, returned to Florence and hung in the same way - on the window of the Palazzo Vecchio. A year and a half had already passed since the conspiracy. Lorenzo was relentless in his revenge.

Palazzo Vecchio. Photo: www.globallookpress.com

Lorenzo's War

Dad was behind the conspiracy. The Pope planned to kill the Medici family. But after the Medici's revenge, the pope did not forgive them. The Holy See began a full-fledged war with Lorenzo on all fronts. In the papal region, all operations of the Medici Bank that took place were closed, and the property there was confiscated. The Pope mobilized his army (it was a serious force then) and turned to King Ferdinand of Naples. The cruel and unprincipled Ferdinand supported the pope, having designs on Florentine wealth. The united army invaded Florence. It seemed that the republic would fall - Lorenzo wanted help from Milan and Venice, but they did not fight against the pope. The Florentines lost a number of battles, and Sixtus IV began to act along his main - ideological - line. He excommunicated first Lorenzo de' Medici personally, then the entire Signoria, and when this did not work properly, the whole of Florence.

We have already said that Lorenzo had brilliant teachers as a child. He was raised by an intelligent, educated Italian aristocrat. Lorenzo would not have been Magnificent if he had not gotten out of this situation. He negotiated directly with the enemy - but not with the pope (this was useless), but with his main military support - Ferdinand of Naples. He was as unprincipled as he was smart. The balance of power could be maintained only by preventing one of the enemies from becoming too strong. And Ferdinand changed his mind about supporting the ever-increasing appetites of the Pope. Moreover, Lorenzo contacted (or managed to convince the pope that he had contacted) France, and she allegedly reacted favorably to the idea of ​​​​a possible alliance with Florence against the pope. The diplomatic success was complete - first Naples came out of the war, and then the pope made peace.

True, at this time Lorenzo’s mother dies, and he himself writes that this is a terrible grief, since she was also his main inspiration.

Lorenzo Medici. Photo: www.globallookpress.com

Art of Lorenzo

Lorenzo the Magnificent, having defeated internal enemies and fought off external enemies, was actually a monarch. He completely subjugated the government, and Florence gladly accepted him as master. With pleasure because he was not only a politician and an oligarch. According to the fashion of the time, Lorenzo was a patron of the arts. Everyone was a patron of the arts - from cruel tyrants to Roman Popes. But Medici went further than many. Himself a philosopher and poet, he patronized all the arts. Even before him, Florence, which had developed into the cultural capital of Italy, reached incredible heights under him. Lorenzo invites the most talented artists and sculptors, he generously gifts them and gives out constant orders, sponsors art schools.

Nowadays the profession of “producer” is described as “a businessman with a creative evaluation function.” It is unknown what art (and the world as a whole) would be like without the creative assessment of Lorenzo Medici. In one of the sculptor schools, he spotted a talented fifteen-year-old student. He finds out his name - Michelangelo di Buanarrotti- and takes him under his direct care. At the Medici court, the genius remains to work until Lorenzo's death.

Sculptor Michelangelo di Buanarotti. Photo: www.globallookpress.com

The “court” artist and organizer of celebrations in Florence was the famous Verrocchio. He became famous both as a painter (mainly commissioned, of course, by Lorenzo) and as an art teacher. One of Verrocchio's students named Sandro Botticelli Lorenzo, still young, at the dawn of his reign begins to secure serious orders - for example, a portrait of his brother. The fame of all the artists and sculptors, including Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Verrocchio, spread throughout Italy (read - through the heart of Europe), extolling Florence and leaving numerous masterpieces for posterity. Even against the backdrop of the generosity of Milan, Naples and Rome, Lorenzo stands out so much that he would later be called the “Godfather of the Renaissance.”

"Portrait of Giuliano de' Medici." Sandro Botticelli. Photo: www.globallookpress.com

Another super-talented student emerges from Verrocchio’s workshop and soon begins to receive serious orders at the Medici court. Rare in that era, peace in the state and generous orders even allowed him to establish his own workshop in the city, and soon the whole world would know his name - Leonardo from the city of Vinci.

Lorenzo's legacy

If the Magnificent Medici inherited intelligence and external unattractiveness from his mother, then from his father he inherited bank, power and gout. The illness brings him to the condition of his father; Lorenzo can rarely move freely. Just at this time, a furious preacher is gaining strength in Florence Girolamo Savonarola. The Medici calls him to him, but two such different people cannot find a common language. Lorenzo is cunning, ambitious, vain. Savonarola is a fanatic, he reproaches the Medici for their wealth, and the flowering of art is alien to him. The diplomat and ruler Lorenzo cannot like Savonarola’s calls to burn those whom he considers heretics at the stake. The preacher, who assures (and, it seems, really believes) that God himself speaks through him, does not accept the arguments of the Medici. Savonarola denies Lorenzo absolution. But the Magnificent remains unconvinced. He remembered the words of his grandfather that “a corrupt city is better than a destroyed city, and you cannot build a state with a rosary in your hands.”

Portrait of Savonarola by Fra Bartolomeo, circa 1498. Photo: Public Domain

On April 8, 1492, at only 44 years of age, Lorenzo the Magnificent de' Medici dies in his country palace. Soon, despite the efforts of his son Piero, who did not fully inherit his father’s talents, the Italian states began wars again. The Medici family is expelled from Florence, their palaces are plundered. The fanatical Savonarola actually stands at the head of the city, and soon those whom he considers heretics, non-spiritual books and even musical instruments are burned at the stake. But even this black streak does not overshadow the significance of Lorenzo. Eventually his family would return to Florence and lead it again. His second son and nephew would become Pope, and his great-granddaughter Catherine would become Queen of France. And Lorenzo’s legacy will not be the names on the plaques, but an important stage in the brightest era of civilization - the Renaissance.

An era in which everything had simple nicknames. Son of Pierrot the Gouty, father of Pierrot the Unlucky. One can easily appreciate what height Lorenzo de' Medici reached to be called the Magnificent during the era of the incomparable Renaissance.

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. As a statesman, he took care of the development of agriculture in the Florence area and 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), and provided orders for the artist Filippo Lippi and 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 poetic works and learned treatises that made him famous, Lorenzo proved himself to be 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, Argiropoula , 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. According to 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, carried out forced government loans, and resorted to damaging coins. 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 of the 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 state policy and sought to prevent nobles from participating in 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 awarded 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 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." Taking his time, he translated into Latin 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 that time become the rector of the cathedral in Florence, and all people who considered themselves well-mannered gathered at his sermons. 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.

Participant 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 a famous person died, 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 him under 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 Piero - a handsome and frivolous man - in a short time, with his stupidity and arrogance, achieved universal self-hatred and an increase in the number of Savonarola's like-minded people. 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!