the medici family
The Medici family controlled Florence during the Renaissance!
It was more "who" and not what. In this time in Italy the cities were city states and controlled by powerful families. One of the most powerful families was the Medici of Florence. They had family members as popes, financiers, bankers, traders, and had their own army. They were the patrons of the arts and the church. They were a dynasty. They basically built Florence and when you go there today they are the statues in the squares and the palaces you visit.
His father had some influence as a notary in Florence, but not powerful.
the de Medici family
Florence was a major center or banking and trading during the Renaissance in Italy. It's rise in wealth is often sighted to be involved with the powerful Medici family as they supported and partially controlled the financial and social systems. Florence sort of sat in the position modern New York does with the New York stock exchange
The Medici banking family was the leading patron of Renaissance Florence.
Since the family controlled the entire Florence, their family fortune was close to something like 650 billion dollars. After Lorenzo died, the fortune was lost forever by other rulers and kings. Since the family controlled the entire Florence, their family fortune was close to something like 650 billion dollars. After Lorenzo died, the fortune was lost forever by other rulers and kings.
The Medici were the richest most powerful merchants and bankers. Plus, they had a pope in the family which gave a lot of power and they had one of the most powerful paid armies in the area.
The powerful Italian banking family that ruled Florence during the Renaissance was the Medici family. They were prominent patrons of the arts and played a crucial role in the cultural and political life of Florence, supporting artists like Michelangelo and Botticelli. The Medici's influence extended beyond banking; they produced several popes and held significant political power, shaping the course of Italian history during the Renaissance.
Wealthy merchant families ruled Florence. The Albizzi Family was prominent in Florence from 1382 to 1434. The House of Medici ruled from 1434 to 1737, when there were no more male heirs, after which Austria temporarily ruled Tuscany. Tuscany became a province of the United Kingdom of Italy in 1861.
During the Renaissance, Italy was not a unified country but a collection of city-states, each controlled by powerful families or rulers. Prominent states included the Papal States, ruled by the Pope, the Republic of Florence, governed by the Medici family, and the Kingdom of Naples, often under Spanish influence. Venice was a significant maritime power, while Milan was controlled by the Sforza family. This fragmented political landscape led to a complex interplay of alliances, conflicts, and cultural exchange.