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{{Mediawiki:kindleoasis}}[[File:Medici Three.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px250px|Cosimo De Medici]]What were the contributions of the de Medici family to the Renaissance in Italy during the fifteenth century? The de Medicis were the effective rulers of the Florentine Republic in the 15th century , and they later became the ruling house of Florence in the 16th and 17th century. The family, especially in the fifteenth century made a decisive contribution to the Renaissance in Italy. This was through their patronage of the arts in their native Florence and their policies that favored peace and stability in Italy shaped the Renaissance.

This contribution was through their patronage of the arts in their native Florence and their policies that favored peace and stability in Italy. The de Medicis made a real and telling contribution to the arts, politics , and stability of Italy and encouraged the intellectual and cultural flourishing that became known as the Renaissance.

However, == Who were the De Medici business fortunes began ? ==The Medici family originally originate in a small village to falter and this was the north of Florence. In the thirteenth century, the first Medici arrived in Florence. The family soon prospered in their new home. The early De Medici’s made their money in the wool trade. They used the profits that they made in the wool trade to ultimately weaken diversify their hold on Florencebusiness interests. Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici (c. Lorenzo and 1360–1429) increased the family's wealth, established the Medici survived a plot to kill them Bank, and seize power in 1474became one of Florence's richest men.<ref>SchevillHibbert, pChristopher. 115<i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0688053394/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0688053394&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=3a60f5b995328d84b5c49af6c25a9362 The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall]</i> After Lorenzo died. Morrow (London, his son Morrow, 1975) </ref> The Medici became head of Florence but he was incompetent involved in politics, and he provoked a they were often involved with the popular uprising against party in Florence. In general, the family Medici liked to influence politics from behind the scene and used their wealth and this led connections to achieve their expulsion from Florence from 1494-1512goals. The Family In 1434 Cosimo the Elder was restored to Florence in 1512 and they eventually became elected as one of the Dukes leaders of Florence. Howeverthe Florentine Republic, and although he was only one of several magistrates who ruled the glory days were gonecity, the later de Medici was not as powerful or as rich as their predecessors and Florence became a political and cultural backwaterhe came to dominate it.<ref>Paul StrathernFerdinand Schevill, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1844130983B0006D8BXY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1844130983B0006D8BXY&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a398a7e529dca0fff02bd3e08ca6b25a The Medici—Godfathers d7f7869357eb87e0ad2906fa13cffb47 History of Florence: From the Founding of the City Through the Renaissance]</i> (London, PimlicoFrederick Ungar, 20051936), p. 213113</ref>

====de Medici Cosimo was a very effective leader and Florence====In the 15th century when the de Medici were at the height of their powers they dominated Florence.<ref> Lauro Martineswas a skilled negotiator, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/019517609X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=019517609X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=654c7c84b58e8d9216a561104ef011e1 April Blood: Florence and he brought stability to the Plot Against the Medici]</i> (Oxford, Oxford University Press 2003, pcity and made it even wealthier. 114)</ref> However, they were eager to appear as first among equalsBefore Cosimo, they went to great lengths to allow the other noble city had been regularly disturbed and unsettled by political factions and wealthy influential families to secure many of the offices in the City-Republic’s government.<ref> Schevill, p. 115</ref> This reconciled many Cosimo was succeeded by his son Piero who had little of them to the domination abilities of their Republic by one familyhis father. The de Medici were fabulously wealthy at least until the 1480s He died while still quite young and their wealth was able succeeded by his son Lorenzo, known to smooth out any difficulties that they had experienced. This meant that history as Lorenzo the City of Florence experienced a period of peace and stabilityMagnificent. This He was unique in the city’s history which was well-known for its political turbulence. The de Medici an excellent ruler and brought stability to the city peace and this allowed trade prosperity to flourish Florence and also the arts. The stability that the de Medici provided allowed Florence to become a cultural centerits hinterland.

The city’s artists and writers took advantage of == Why did the peace and stability to develop new styles De Medici's lose control of art in security. Then Florence? ==However, the de De Medici were quite tolerant for the times.<ref> Martinesbusiness fortunes began to falter, pwhich ultimately weakened Florence's hold. 145</ref> They were largely secular in outlook Lorenzo and their power meant that the city’s artists Medici survived a plot to kill them and writers did not have to fear from the Inquisition or clerical interferenceseize power in 1474.<ref>Schevill, p. 117115</ref> The MediciAfter Lorenzo died, especially Lorenzo the Magnificent were broad-mindedhis son became head of Florence. Still, indeed Lorenzo he was himself incompetent, and he provoked a distinguished poet and this popular uprising against the family, which led to an atmosphere where new ideas and practices were encouraged and even promoted in their expulsion from Florencefrom 1494-1512.<ref> Strathern, p. 117</ref> The de Medic had long been associated with the Humanists. Lorenzo the Magnificent Family was himself taught by a well-known Humanist restored to Florence in 1512, and was sympathetic to they eventually became the aims Dukes of the movementFlorence. This meant that humanism and its ideas on human reason and capabilities flourished in However, the city. Indeedglory days were gone, many humanists such as De Valla were able to secure employment in the later de Medici administration was not as powerful or as rich as their predecessors, and Florence became a political and added to the cultural life backwater.<ref>Paul Strathern, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1844130983/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1844130983&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a398a7e529dca0fff02bd3e08ca6b25a The Medici—Godfathers of the city.Renaissance]<ref/i> Hibbert(London, Pimlico, 2005), p. 167213</ref>

==How did the de Medici dominate Florence during the Renaissance ==De In the 15th century when the de Medici and was at the Peace height of Italytheir powers, they dominated Florence.<ref> Lauro Martines, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/019517609X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=019517609X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=In 654c7c84b58e8d9216a561104ef011e1 April Blood: Florence and the fifteenth century conditions in Italy became more peaceful. In previous centuries war was endemic in Plot Against the PeninsulaMedici]</i> (Oxford, Oxford University Press 2003, p. There 114)</ref> However, they were conflicts between eager to appear as first among equals, they went to great lengths to allow the city-states other noble and often civil conflicts within them. These indeed led wealthy families to secure many of the rise of many tyrants all over Italy especially, offices in the 14th century. The De Medici did not like to engage in war and did not want to expand Florentine territoryCity-Republic’s government.<ref>HibbertSchevill, p. 156115</ref> They favored peace This reconciled many of them to the domination of their Republic by one family. The de Medici were fabulously wealthy at least until the 1480s, and believed their wealth was able to smooth out any difficulties that war was bad for trade. In this, they had a decidedly modern outlook. Cosimo experienced and the Elder worked tirelessly for peace in the North City of Italy. He sought to establish Florence experienced a balance period of power in the region between the main powers peace and the exclusion stability because of foreign powers such as the French and the Holy Roman Emperor. Cosimo helped to negotiate an end to a series of wars in Lombardy and helped the main players in Italy, Milan, Naples, Venice and Florence to reach an agreement to respect each other’s territorial integrityde Medici's wealth.

This period of tranquility was unique in the city’s history that well-known for its political turbulence. The de Medici brought stability to the city and this allowed trade to flourish and also the arts. The stability that the de Medici provided allowed Florence to become a cultural center.  The city’s artists and writers took advantage of the peace and stability to develop new styles of art in security. Then the de Medici was quite tolerant for the times.<ref> Martines, p. 145</ref> They were mostly secular in outlook and their power meant that the city’s artists and writers did not have to fear from the Inquisition or clerical interference.<ref>Schevill, p. 117</ref> The Medici, especially Lorenzo the Magnificent was broad-minded. Indeed, Lorenzo was himself a distinguished poet, and this led to an atmosphere where new ideas and practices were encouraged and even promoted in Florence.<ref> Strathern, p. 117</ref>  The de Medic had long been associated with the Humanists. Lorenzo the Magnificent was himself taught by a well-known Humanist and was sympathetic to the aims of the movement. For this reason, humanism and its ideas on human reason and capabilities flourished in the city. Indeed, many humanists such as De Valla were able to secure employment in the de Medici administration and added to the cultural life of the city.<ref> Hibbert, p. 167</ref> == How did a more peaceful Italy benefit the De Medici family? ==In the fifteenth century, Italy became more peaceful. In previous centuries war was endemic in the Peninsula. There were conflicts between the city-states and often civil conflicts within them. These indeed led to the rise of many tyrants all over Italy especially, in the 14th century. The De Medici did not like to engage in war and did not want to expand Florentine territory.<ref>Hibbert, p. 156</ref> They favored peace and believed that war was bad for trade. In this, they had a decidedly modern outlook. Cosimo the Elder worked tirelessly for peace in the North of Italy. He sought to establish a balance of power in the region between the main powers and the exclusion of foreign powers such as the French and the Holy Roman Emperor. Cosimo helped to negotiate an end to a series of wars in Lombardy and helped the main players in Italy, Milan, Naples, Venice, and Florence to reach an agreement to respect each other’s territorial integrity.  Lorenzo, the Magnificent, followed his grandfather’s policies with regard to about maintaining a balance of power in Italy. This led him Lorenzo and other Northern Italian leaders to negotiate the Treaty of Lodi that brought peace and stability to the North and Central Italy.<ref> Hibbert, p. 118</ref> The de Medici through their policies did much to bring peace and security to too much of Italy , and this was crucial for the Renaissance <ref>Miles J. Unger, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/074325435X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=074325435X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ae832840e01fbaf68a8af9739f4806f4 Magnifico: The Brilliant Life and Violent Times of Lorenzo de Medici]</i>, (London, Simon and Schuster 2008), p. 134</ref> It is no not a coincidence that the cultural zenith of the Italian Renaissance occurred when it produced the great works of Florence was stable. Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael, corresponded to a relatively produced their most celebrated works when Northern Italy was experiencing an unprecedented peaceful period in Northern Italy in the fifteen fifteenth century. In this way, the de Medici family helped to create an ideal environment for the great artists of the era to grow and create peerless works of art.

====The How did the De Medici and the revival of Medicis revive Greek Learning==Knowledge? ==

The Renaissance was inspired by the Classical World of Ancient Greece and Rome. However, until the fifteenth century, the Italian humanists only knew of Ancient Greece and the great works of Plato and the other great Greeks through the Romans. Cosimo the Elder helped to introduce Ancient Greek manuscripts and culture into Italy. Cosimo the Elder sought to end the schism in the Christian Church. He helped to negotiate the union of the Catholic and the Orthodox Church that was formalized at the Council of Florence in 1439. This Union ultimately failed , but it was to have a profound impact on the development of the Renaissance.

The Byzantine Emperor visited Florence in 1493 to ratify the Union , and he was attended by several hundred followers among them the great Neoplatonist philosopher George Gemistos Plethon.<ref> Miles, p. 123</ref> Cosimo had failed to achieve a lasting union between the eastern and the western Church. However, he inspired renewed interest in the works of the Greeks as he patronized several Greek scholars from Byzantium and appears appeared to have secured some manuscripts that were previously unknown in Florence. In the Byzantine Empire, there were many great works from the Greek past that were unknown in Italy. The city of Florence soon became the center for the study of Ancient Greek culture and Neoplatonism, became very influential.<ref>Hibbert, p. 134</ref> The increasing interest in Greek culture was to direct the Renaissance in new directions and inspired a new generation of writers and philosophers such as Pico Della Mirandola.

====Why were the De Medici as Patrons==art patrons? ==

All of the de Medici had an interest in the arts in the fifteenth century. This and art was in order used to legitimize the family's rule of the familyFlorence. The works commissioned by the family often sought to raise the status of the family in the city. They used art to fortify their position in Florentine Society. However, the family was also genuinely fond of art, architecture, and literature. Cosimo was very knowledgeable about architecture and Lorenzo the Magnificent was a connoisseur of paintings and sculptures.  The Medici’s used their lavish wealth to patronize many of the greatest artists of the time. The family was directly responsible for some of the greatest works in the Renaissance. Cosimo the Elder was the patron of the great architect Bruneschelli, and it was under De Medici orders that he built the great Medici Sacristy in the Church of San Lorenzo. It was Cosimo who ordered the building of the great De Medici Palace with its magnificent paintings by Uccello. It was Cosimo who also commissioned Donatello's, Bronze of David, one of the most influential pieces of sculpture in the period.<ref> Hibbert, p. 134</ref>  Lorenzo was equally lavish in his patronage of artists and the commissioning of great works of art. He is widely seen as perhaps the greatest patron of the arts in Renaissance Italy, but this view has been challenged in recent decades. He also commissioned works from great artists such as Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio, and Verrocchio. Moreover, Lorenzo established a sculpture garden at San Marco, where he encouraged the young Michelangelo to study works from the Classical Period. Michelangelo produced his first significant works under the patronage of Lorenzo.<ref>Miles, p 145</ref> Michelangelo formed part of Lorenzo’s household, and he treated artists as the equals of humanist scholars and poets.

The Medici’s used their lavish wealth to patronize many of the greatest artists Lorenzo's treatment of the time. The family articles was directly responsible for some of the greatest works unprecedented in the RenaissanceRepublican Florence, where painters and sculptors had only been ranked as mere tradesmen or common craftsmen. Cosimo the Elder was '<ref> Miles, 117</ref> This treatment raised the patron status of the great architect Bruneschelli and it was under De Medici orders that he built the great Medici Sacristy artists in the Church eyes of San Lorenzo. It Florentine society and this was Cosimo who ordered the building to produce an environment where they had more freedom of the expression, and this enabled them to produce many great De Medici Palace with its magnificent paintings by Ucelleoartworks. It was Cosimo who <ref>Strathern, p 65</ref> Lorenzo not only patronized these great artists but they also commissioned Donatello'spatronized many humanists and writers and they all helped to make Florence a leading intellectual center. Ironically, Bronze of Davidit has been suggested that the de Medici’s lavish expenditure on the arts and buildings led to their financial difficulties from the 1480s onwards, one of which contributed to their ‘expulsion from the most influential pieces of sculpture city in the period1494.<ref> HibbertMiles, p. 134</ref> Lorenzo was equally lavish in his patronage of artists and the commissioning of great works of art.

He is widely seen as perhaps == Were the greatest patron De Medici family important during the Renaissance? ==The de Medici during their rule of Florence in the fifteenth century did much to influence the arts in Renaissance Italy, but this view has been challenged in recent decades. He also commissioned works from and to enable the great artists such as Botticelli, Peruginohumanists, Ghirlandaioand writers, to produce their works that have been so influential down the centuries. The family brought stability and Verrocchiopeace to the city of Florence. Moreover, Lorenzo established a sculpture garden at San Marco, where he encouraged This was crucial in the cultural flourishing in the city in the young Michelangelo fifteenth century. The de Medici's largely peaceful rule did much to study works from promote the Renaissance in the Classical Periodcity. Michelangelo produced his first great works under They also in their relations with the patronage of Lorenzoother city-states did much to bring peace to North Italy.<ref>Miles, p 145</ref> Michelangelo formed part of Lorenzo’s household, and he treated artists as Then the de Medici was very instrumental in the equals of humanist scholars growing interest in Greek culture and poetshistory.

This was unprecedented in Republican FlorenceCosimo de Medici and his policies promoted, where painters and sculptors had only been ;ranked as mere tradesmen or common craftsmen.'<ref> Milesunintentionally, 117</ref> This raised the status study of the works of the artists Greeks. This was to move the Renaissance in new directions, especially under the eyes influence of Florentine society and this Neoplatonism. Then there was to produce an environment where they had more freedom the patronage of expression and this enabled them the de Medici; the family directly helped many great artists to produce many new and great artworksworks of art.<ref>Strathern, p 65</ref> Lorenzo not only patronized these great artists but they also patronized many humanists and writers and they all the Magnificent especially helped to make Florence a leading intellectual centerraise the status of the artists in Florentine society. Ironically By the time of their expulsion in 1494, it has been suggested that the de Medici’s lavish expenditure on family had made a significant contribution to the arts and buildings led to their financial difficulties from development of the 1480s onwardsRenaissance, which contributed to their ‘expulsion from has been crucial in the evolution of the city in 1494modern world.<ref>Miles, p 134 </ref>

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