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[[File:Medici_the_Magnificent.jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|Figure 1. The Medici Season 2 Poster.]]__NOTOC__The <i>Medici</i> has recently been released has moved forward in time and it cover picks up five years after the period death of Cosmo de Medici, played by Richard Madden in the season 1. Season 2 focuses on Lorenzo the Magnificant (Lorenzo de' Medici), who was one of the most influential Medici family members who . He ruled or and influenced Florence and at the birth of the Renaissance. The period this season covers is between covered is around 1469-1477, 1478. This season climaxes with the series culminating in the Pazzi conspiracy on Easter Sunday , April 26, 1478, that sought to depose the Medicis from power.

====The Key Characters====Lorenzo the Magnificant: Lorenzo is depicted as a smart and wise leader of the Medici family. His father, Piero di Cosimo de' Medici dies at the beginning of the series, in 1469. His father was shown as somewhat a weak character who could not always deal well with all the intrigues of the Signoria, which was the seat of government and ruling body in Florence. The Medici bank is also in a weak position and on the brink of bankruptcy. Lorenzo is energetic, ambitious for his family, and displayed traits like his grandfather Cosimo Medici by supporting the arts, with the series concentrating on his patronage of Sandro Botticelli. He is shown as having Florence's best interest in mind, although in reality he often did promote his family above all else. He could also be ruthless, although he is shown as preferring to work with his rivals and give them a chance.<ref>For more on Lorenzo and his life, see: Horsburgh, E. L. S. (2017). <i>Lorenzo the Magnificent and Florence in Her Golden Age</i>. Forgotten Books.</ref>

[[FileGiuliano de' Medici:Image002 0 0Guiliano is the brother of Lorenzo.jpg|thumb|Figure 1He is shown as a skilled fighter, handsome, and a someone who always showed interest in women, refusing to settle down and instead bedding different women, including Simonetta Vespucci, a renowned beauty who was the wife of a prominent noble in Florence. The In fact, he appears to fall in love with Simonetta and this begins to create problems for the Medici Season 2 after Simonetta's husband learned of the affair and jails his own wife. His youthful love of life and handsome appearance influences Botticelli to paint him as his Mars character, but that is not certain. Giuliano did father an illegitimate child, with another woman, who later became Pope Clement VII, but for this was not even brought up by the series despite the historical significance of this. Clement VII was the pope who presided over the fragmentation of Christianity during the Protestant Reformation. Giuliano was killed in the Pazzi conspiracy and key characters shownthat was depicted by the series.<ref>For more on Giuliano, see: Jungić, J., & Leader, A. (2018). <i>Giuliano de’ Medici: Machiavelli’s prince in life and art</i>. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press.]]</ref>

Lorenzo the MagnificantClarice Orsini: Lorenzo is depicted Clarice was shown as a smart and wise leader of the Medici family. His father, Piero di Cosimo de' Medici dies nun in training at the beginning of the serieswho is then arranged by Lorenzo's mother, in 1469Lucrezia, to marry Lorenzo. His father was While reluctant, and shown as somewhat a weak character who could not always deal well naive and pious individual, she complies with all the intrigues of the Signoriathis marriage as she sees it as God's chosen path for her. At first, which was the seat of government and ruling body in Florence. Lorenzo she is energeticnot happy, ambitious for as Lorenzo continues to have a relationship with a nobleman's wife after his familymarriage. Eventually, she has Lorenzo stop this affair and displayed traits like his grandfather Cosimo Medici by supporting the arts, with the series concentrating on his patronage she begins to become more influential in Lorenzo's life. The couple eventually grow more fond of Sandro Botticelli. He is shown each other and they both help each other as having Florencethey plan the family's best interest in mind, although in reality he often did promote his family above all elseaffairs.<ref>For more on Lorenzo and his lifeClarice, see: HorsburghPernis, EM. G. , & Adams, L. S. (20172006). <i>Lorenzo Lucrezia Tornabuoni de’ Medici and the Magnificent and Florence Medici family in Her Golden Agethe fifteenth century</i>. Forgotten BooksNew York: Peter Lang.</ref>

Giuliano de' MediciSandro Botticelli: Guiliano is The series depicts Botticelli as a well-regarded painter patronized by the brother of LorenzoMedici. He is shown The series depicts the painter as a skilled fighter, handsomebeing inspired by Simonetta Vespucci, who inspired <i>Venus and Mars</i> and a someone who always showed interest in womenlater <i>Primavera</i>, refusing with his later <i>Birth of Venus</i> painting alluded to settle down as also inspired by her. The actual history of these paintings is not certain, as <i>Venus and instead bedding different women, including Simonetta VespucciMars</i> may have been painted much later than what was shown in the series. In factNevertheless, he appears to fall in love with Simonetta, although she is married to one a possible muse inspiring Botticelli's depiction of the members of the Signoria. His youthful love of life and handsome appearance influences Botticelli to pain him her as his Mars characterVenus, but that is not certainalso disputed by historians. Giuliano did father an illegitimate child that later became pope (Clement VII)is purported to be the one inspiring Mars, but for some reasonhe had died long after this, this was not even brought up by although the series despite showing him posing, along with Simonetta, for the historical significance painting. None of this. Clement VII was is historically clear, but some historians do accept the pope who presided over two as inspiring the fragmentation of Christianity during the Protestant Reformation. Giuliano was killed in the Pazzi conspiracy and that was depicted by the serieswell-known painting.<ref>For more on GiulianoBotticelli, see: Jungić Lightbown, JR., & Leader, AW. (20181989). <i>Giuliano de’ MediciSandro Botticelli: Machiavelli’s prince in life and artwork (2nd ed)</i>. MontrealNew York: McGill-Queen’s University Abbeville Press. </ref>

Clarice OrsiniFrancesco de' Pazzi: Clarice was shown as a nun in training at Francesco is one of the beginning main characters of the series Pazzi family, who is then arranged by are rivals to the Medicis and resent their control and power over Florence. Francesco initially befriends Lorenzo, as he believes his uncle Jacopo de' Pazzi did not have Florence's mother, Lucrezia, to marry Lorenzobest interest and too obsessed against the Medici. While reluctantHowever, and shown over time he becomes disenchanted with the Medicis as he sees them as somewhat naive, she complies with this marriagepower hungry. At first, she He is not happymarried briefly before he sends his wife away, as Lorenzo continues to but this may have a relationship never happened. Francesco eventually reunites with a nobleman's wife after his marriageuncle Jacopo and they together launch the Pazzi conspiracy on Easter Sunday in 1478. Eventually, she has Lorenzo stop this affair Francesco succeeds in killing Guiliano but the conspiracy fails and she begins to become more influential in Lorenzo's lifehe is executed along with the other conspirators on the walls of the Signoria. The couple eventually grow more fond depiction of each other the brief friendship between Francesco and Lorenzo is likely inaccurate. He was also dragged from his house and they both help each other killed, while in the series he was shown as they plan being captured after the conspiracy was launched in the family's affairswell-known Duomo of Florence.<ref>For more on ClariceFrancesco, see: Pernis, M. G., & AdamsMartines, L. (20062004). <i>Lucrezia Tornabuoni de’ Medici April blood: Florence and the plot against the Medici family in the fifteenth century</i>. Oxford; New York: Peter LangOxford University Press, pg. 97. </ref>

Sandro BotticelliJacopo de' Pazzi: The series depicts Botticelli Jacopo is depicted as well regarded painter patronized by the Medici. The series depicts real head of the painter as being inspired by Simonetta Vespucci, who inspired <i>Venus Pazzi family and Mars</i> and later <i>Primavera</i>, obsessed with his later <i>Birth of Venus</i> painting alluded tooverthrowing the Medici family. The actual history of these paintings is not certain, He was shown as <i>Venus finding new ways to obtain power for himself and Mars</i> may have been painted much laterthe Pazzi. NeverthelessWhile there might be some truth to this, Simonetta is a possible muse inspiring Botticelli's depiction of her as Venushe was also, historically, but that is also disputed by historians. Giuliano is purported known to be have patronized the one inspiring Mars, but he had died long after this, although arts and commissioned works such as the series showing him posing, along Palazzo Pazzi in Florence. His conspiracy launched with SimonettaFrancesco fails ultimately, for after many other less violent attempts to topple the paintingMedici. None of this Jacopo is historically cleardepicted as a cunning and scheming man, but some historians do accept although in reality the problem with the two as inspiring Medici probably dealt with the well-known paintingfact that both families were power hungry.<ref>For more on BotticelliJacopo, see: LightbownStrathern, R. WP. (19892003). <i>Sandro BotticelliThe Medici: life and work (2nd ed)Godfathers of the Renaissance</i>. New YorkLondon: Abbeville PressJonathan Cape, pg. 163.</ref>

Francesco de====Key Plot====[[File:Leonardo da Vinci - Hanging of Bernardo Baroncelli 1479.jpg|thumb|left|Figure 2. Leonardo' Pazzi: Francesco s drawing showing one of the conspirators hung.]]The primary focus for this season is one Lorenzo beginning efforts to try to unite some of the main characters city-states of the Pazzi familyItaly, in particular, who are rivals to Milan and eventually Venice. He believes that if the Medicis city-states band together they can form a stronger alliance for these cities and resent help their control businesses, including the Medici bank that is struggling and power over Florenceoverextended. Francesco initially befriends LorenzoIn addition, the Medici lost their papal account and their bank is threatened with insolvency as he believes his uncle Jacopo de' the Pazzi, did not have Florence's best interest. However, over time he becomes disenchanted conspire with the Medicis as he sees them as power hungryPope (Pope Paul II and later Pope Sixtus IV) to stop the Medici. He is married briefly before he sends his wife awayThe Medici try to forge an alliance with Francesco Pazzi, but this may have never happened. Francesco eventually reunites with his uncle Jacopo and as they together launch see a split within the Pazzi conspiracy on Easter Sunday in 1478family. This initially works but then begins to fail as Francesco succeeds in killing Guiliano but begins to question the conspiracy fails and he motives of Lorenzo. The alliance with Milan is executed along also broken up with the other conspirators. The depiction murder of Duke Sforza of the brief friendship between Francesco and Lorenzo is likely inaccurate. He was also dragged from his house and killedMilan, while in the series he which was shown as being captured after the a conspiracy was launched in by the well-known Duomo of FlorencePazzi.<ref>For more on Francesco, see: Martines, L. (2004). <i>April blood: Florence and the plot against The Pope is also used to threaten families from forming alliances with the Medici</i>. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, pg. 97. </ref>

Jacopo de' Pazzi: Jacopo However, there is depicted as the real head of the Pazzi family a desire to smooth tensions and obsessed with overthrowing the Medici familyPope gets involved by expressing his wish for peace. He was shown as finding new ways Without seemingly knowing or at least not knowing in detail, Pope Sixtus has Cardinal Riario send a delegation to obtain power for himself and the Pazzi. While there might be some truth Florence to this, he was also, historically, known try to have patronized sooth relations with the arts Medici and commissioned works such as resolve the conflict with the Palazzo Pazzi in Florence. His conspiracy launched Cardinal Riaro is a Pazzi alley and works with Francesco fails ultimately, after many other less violent attempts them to topple conspire against the Medici. Jacopo This delegation is depicted as a cunning and scheming mansent, although Lorenzo's wife begins to suspect something when she visits Carlo, Cosimo's illegitimate son who eventually became a prelate in reality the problem Rome, with armed guards who are actually sent to conspire against the Medici probably dealt and take over the Signoria. The Pazzi form alliances with some of the fact that both powerful families were of Florence so they can also take power hungryafter killing the Medici while turning families against the Medici.<ref>For more on Jacopo, see: Strathern, P. (2003)The choice of Easter Sunday was chosen to launch the conspiracy because the Medici would certainly be in the Duomo attending services. <i>The Pazzi appear to show peace and reconciliation with the Medici: godfathers of but in reality attack the Medici in the Renaissance</i>Duomo during Easter Mass. London: Jonathan Cape, pg. 163Giuliano is killed from behind by Francesco and his collaborators. </ref>

====Assessment====The key plot of events are accurate, in that the series is Lorenzo beginning to Pazzis did ultimately try to unite some of the main city-states of Italy, in particular Milan and eventually Venice, together to form a stronger alliance for these cities and help their businesstopple Lorenzo. However, the The Medici lost their papal account and their bank is threatened with insolvency 's are shown as the Pazzi conspire with the Pope (Pope Paul II and later Pope Sixtus IV) to stop the Medici. The alliance with Milan more benevolent, but this is broken up with the murder of Duke Sforza of Milan. Without seemingly knowing or at leat not knowing accurate as politics in detail, Pope Sixtus has Cardinal Riario send a deligation to 15th century Florence to try to sooth relations was likely ruthless with the Medici and resolve the conflict with the Pazziconspiracies launched by various sides. This deligation is sent with armed guards who are actually sent Such politics even may have later inspired Machiavelli to conspire against the Medici. write his well know work <i> The Pazzi form alliances with some of the powerful families of Florence so they can also take power after killing the MediciPrince </i>. The choice events and people that influenced Botticelli, including two of Easter Sunday was chosen to launch the conspiracy because the Medici will certainly be in the Duomo attending services. The Pazzi appear to show peace and reconciliation with the Medici but in reality attack the Medici in the Duomo during Easter. Giuliano is killed from behind by Francesco and his collaborators. Howeverwell-known paintings, they fail to kill Lorenzomay not have happened as shown, who is holed up in a small room in as the Duomo with timelines do not match since his wife and mother. Eventually, the people of Florence rally around the Medici and the conspirators are rounded up in the Signoria, where they tried to complete their conspiracy by taking authority over the city. This fails and the conspirators are captured and hung from the Signoria. Leonardo da Vinci, who was young and in Florence at the time, drew the hanging of one of the conspirators, who was Baroncelli (Figure 2).<ref>For more on the key events leading up to the main Easter conspiracy, see: (Martines, 2004)famous works were finished probably almost a decade later.

[[File:Leonardo da Vinci - Hanging Nevertheless, the importance of the Medicis in influencing the Renaissance, and the backstory of Bernardo Baroncelli 1479how they achieved their power over Florence as the Pazzi attempted to diminish their power, is true.jpg|thumb|Figure 2The Medicis may not have been close to bankruptcy, but the killing of the Duke of Milan was also a key event during this time and, in fact, was related to the larger Pazzi conspiracy, as the Pazzi attempted to put another ruler on the throne of Milan. Leonardo's drawing showing one The Pazzi were banished or killed after their conspiracy against the Medicis failed and ultimately the conspiracy they launched devasted the influence of the conspirators hungfamily, although the Pazzis did later return to Florence in the 16th century.]]

==Assessment==Summary==== The Season 2 of the Medici is a fascinating and complex series that is highly entertaining. It has some historical relevance in that many key events and characters are accuratetrue. However, in that it takes the Pazzis did ultimately try liberty to topple Lorenzo. The Medici's are shown as more benevolent, but that might be less accurate as most likely politics in 15th century Florence was likely ruthless with conspiracies launched by various sides. The events mixup timelines and people that influenced Botticelli, including two condenses some of his well-known paintingsthe events, may not have happened such as shown, as the timelines do not match since his famous works were finished probably almost a decade later. Nevertheless, the importance death of the Medicis in influencing the Renaissance, Lorenzo's father and the backstory of how they achieved their power over Florence as events leading up to the Pazzi attempted to diminish their powerconspiracy. Surprisingly, Guiliano's son is true. The Pazzi were banished or killed after never depicted, despite the conspiracy and ultimately the conspiracy they launched did prove to be their downfallfact he becomes an important historical figure himself.  ==Summary==