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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. The de Medicis made a real and telling contribution to the arts, politics and stability of Italy and encouraged the cultural flourishing that became known as the Renaissance.

==De Medici-Background==The Medici family originally originate in a small village to the north This contribution was through their patronage of Florence. In the thirteenth century, the first Medici arrived arts in their native Florence. The family soon prospered in their new home. The early De Medici’s made and their money in the wool trade. They used the profits policies that they made favored peace and stability in the wool trade to diversify their business interestsItaly. Giovanni di Bicci The de' Medici (c. 1360–1429), increased the wealth of the family Medicis made a real and established telling contribution to the Medici Bankarts, politics, and became one stability of Italy and encouraged the richest men in the city of Florence.<ref> Hibbert, Christopher. The House of Medici: Its Rise intellectual and Fall. Morrow (London, Morrow, 1975) </ref> The Medici cultural flourishing that became involved in politics and they were often involved with the popular party in Florence. In general, the Medici liked to influence politics from behind the scene and used their wealth and connections to achieve their goals. In 1434 Cosimo the Elder was elected known as one of the leaders of the Florentine Republic and although he was only one of several magistrates who ruled the city he came to dominate it.<ref> Ferdinand Schevill, <i>History of Florence: From the Founding of the City Through the Renaissance</i> (London, Frederick Ungar, 1936), p. 113</ref>

== Who were the De Medici? ==The city’s artists and writers took advantage Medici family originally originate in a small village to the north of Florence. In the peace and stability to develop thirteenth century, the first Medici arrived in Florence. The family soon prospered in their new styles of art home. The early De Medici’s made their money in securitythe wool trade. Then They used the profits that they made in the wool trade to diversify their business interests. Giovanni di Bicci de ' Medici were quite tolerant for (c. 1360–1429) increased the family's wealth, established the timesMedici Bank, and became one of Florence's richest men.<ref> MartinesHibbert, pChristopher. 145<i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0688053394/ref> They were largely secular in outlook and their power meant that the city’s artists =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 writers did not have to fear from the Inquisition or clerical interference.Fall]<ref/i>Schevill. Morrow (London, Morrow, p. 1171975) </ref> The Medicibecame involved in politics, especially Lorenzo the Magnificent were broad-minded, indeed Lorenzo was himself a distinguished poet and this led to an atmosphere where new ideas and practices they were encouraged and even promoted often involved with the popular party in Florence.<ref> StrathernIn general, p. 117</ref> The de Medic had long been associated with the HumanistsMedici liked to influence politics from behind the scene and used their wealth and connections to achieve their goals. Lorenzo In 1434 Cosimo the Magnificent Elder was himself taught by a well-known Humanist and was sympathetic to elected as one of the aims leaders of the movement. This meant that humanism Florentine Republic, and its ideas on human reason and capabilities flourished in although he was only one of several magistrates who ruled the city, he came to dominate it. Indeed<ref> Ferdinand Schevill, many humanists such as De Valla were able to secure employment in <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006D8BXY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0006D8BXY&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d7f7869357eb87e0ad2906fa13cffb47 History of Florence: From the de Medici administration and added to Founding of the cultural life of City Through the city.Renaissance]<ref/i> Hibbert(London, Frederick Ungar, 1936), p. 167113</ref>

==De Medici Cosimo was a very effective leader and the Peace of Italy==In the fifteenth century conditions in Italy became more peaceful. In previous centuries war was endemic in the Peninsula. There were conflicts between a skilled negotiator, and he brought stability to the city-states and often civil conflicts within themmade it even wealthier. These indeed led to the rise of many tyrants all over Italy especiallyBefore Cosimo, in the 14th century. The De Medici did not like to engage in war city had been regularly disturbed and unsettled by political factions and did not want to expand Florentine territoryinfluential families.<ref> Hibbert, p. 156</ref> They favored peace and believed that war Cosimo was bad for trade. In this, they succeeded by his son Piero who had a decidedly modern outlook. Cosimo the Elder worked tirelessly for peace in little of the North abilities of Italyhis father. He sought died while still quite young and was succeeded by his son Lorenzo, known to establish a balance of power in the region between the main powers and the exclusion of foreign powers such history as Lorenzo the French and the Holy Roman EmperorMagnificent. Cosimo helped to negotiate He was an end to a series of wars in Lombardy excellent ruler and helped the main players in Italy, Milan, Naples, Venice brought peace and prosperity to Florence to reach an agreement to respect each other’s territorial integrityand its hinterland.

Lorenzo == Why did the MagnificentDe Medici's lose control of Florence? ==However, followed his grandfather’s policies with regard the De Medici business fortunes began to maintaining a balance of power in Italyfalter, which ultimately weakened Florence's hold. This led him Lorenzo and other Northern Italian leaders to negotiate the Treaty of Lodi that brought peace and stability Medici survived a plot to the North kill them and Central Italyseize power in 1474.<ref> HibbertSchevill, p. 118115</ref> After Lorenzo died, his son became head of Florence. Still, he was incompetent, and he provoked a popular uprising against the family, which led to their expulsion from Florence from 1494-1512. The Family was restored to Florence in 1512, and they eventually became the Dukes of Florence. However, the glory days were gone, the later de Medici through was not as powerful or as rich as their policies did much to bring peace predecessors, and security to much of Italy Florence became a political and this was crucial for the Renaissance cultural backwater.<ref>Miles J. UngerPaul Strathern, <i>Magnifico[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 Brilliant Life and Violent Times Medici—Godfathers of Lorenzo de Medicithe Renaissance]</i>, (London, Simon and Schuster 2008Pimlico, 2005), p. 134213</ref> It is no coincidence that the zenith of the Italian Renaissance when it produced the great works of Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael, corresponded to a relatively peaceful period in Northern Italy in the fifteen century. In this way, the de Medici helped to create an ideal environment for the great artists of the era to grow and create peerless works of art.

==The De How did the de Medici and dominate Florence during the revival of Greek LearningRenaissance ==[[File: De Medici One.jpg|thumbnail|300px|Michaelangelo – whose patrons were In the De Medici]]The Renaissance was inspired by the Classical World of Ancient Greece and Rome. However, until the fifteenth 15th century, when 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 de Medici was formalized at the Council height of their powers, they dominated Florence in 1439. This Union ultimately failed but it was to have a profound impact on the development of the Renaissance<ref> Lauro Martines, <i>[https://www.amazon. The Byzantine Emperor visited 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 in 1493 to ratify and the Union and he was attended by several hundred followers among them Plot Against the great Neoplatonist philosopher George Gemistos Plethon.Medici]<ref/i> Miles(Oxford, Oxford University Press 2003, p. 123114)</ref> Cosimo had failed However, they were eager to achieve a lasting union between the eastern and the western Church. Howeverappear as first among equals, he inspired renewed interest in they went to great lengths to allow the works of the Greeks as he patronized several Greek scholars from Byzantium other noble and appears wealthy families to have secured some manuscripts that were previously unknown in Florence. In the Byzantine Empire, there were secure many great works from of the Greek past that were unknown offices in Italy. The city of Florence soon became the center for the study of Ancient Greek culture and Neoplatonism, became very influentialCity-Republic’s government.<ref>HibbertSchevill, p. 134115</ref> This reconciled many of them to the domination of their Republic by one family. The increasing interest in Greek culture de Medici were fabulously wealthy at least until the 1480s, and their wealth was able to direct smooth out any difficulties that they had experienced and the Renaissance in new directions and inspired City of Florence experienced a new generation period of writers peace and philosophers such as Pico Della Mirandolastability because of the de Medici's wealth.

==De Medici as Patrons==[[File:Medici Two.jpg|thumbnail|300px|Lorenzo the Magnificent]]All This period of the de Medici had an interest in the arts in the fifteenth century. This tranquility was unique in order to legitimize the rule of the familycity’s history that well-known for its political turbulence. The works commissioned by the family often sought de Medici brought stability to raise the status of the family in the city. They used art and this allowed trade to fortify their position in Florentine Society. However, flourish and also the family was also genuinely fond of art, architecture, and literaturearts. Cosimo was very knowledgeable about architecture and Lorenzo The stability that the Magnificent was de Medici provided allowed Florence to become a connoisseur of paintings and sculpturescultural center.

The Medici’s used their lavish wealth to patronize many of the greatest city’s artists and writers took advantage of the time. The family was directly responsible for some peace and stability to develop new styles of the greatest works art in the Renaissancesecurity. Cosimo Then the Elder de Medici was quite tolerant for the patron of times.<ref> Martines, p. 145</ref> They were mostly secular in outlook and their power meant that the great architect Bruneschelli city’s artists and it was under De Medici orders that he built writers did not have to fear from the great Inquisition or clerical interference.<ref>Schevill, p. 117</ref> The Medici Sacristy in , especially Lorenzo the Church of San Lorenzo. It Magnificent was Cosimo who ordered the building of the great De Medici Palace with its magnificent paintings by Ucelleobroad-minded. It Indeed, Lorenzo was Cosimo who also commissioned Donatello'shimself a distinguished poet, Bronze of David, one of the most influential pieces of sculpture and this led to an atmosphere where new ideas and practices were encouraged and even promoted in the periodFlorence.<ref> HibbertStrathern, p. 134117</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 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 greatest patron aims of the arts in Renaissance Italymovement. For this reason, but this view has been challenged humanism and its ideas on human reason and capabilities flourished in recent decadesthe city. He also commissioned works from great artists Indeed, many humanists such as Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio, De Valla were able to secure employment in the de Medici administration and Verrocchio. Moreover, Lorenzo established a sculpture garden at San Marco, where he encouraged the young Michelangelo added to study works from the Classical Period. Michelangelo produced his first great works under cultural life of the patronage of Lorenzocity.<ref>MilesHibbert, p 145. 167</ref> Michelangelo formed part of Lorenzo’s household, and he treated artists as the equals of humanist scholars and poets.

This == How did a more peaceful Italy benefit the De Medici family? ==In the fifteenth century, Italy became more peaceful. In previous centuries war was unprecedented endemic in Republican Florence, where painters the Peninsula. There were conflicts between the city-states and sculptors had only been ;ranked as mere tradesmen or common craftsmenoften civil conflicts within them.'<ref> Miles, 117</ref> This raised These indeed led to the status rise of the artists many tyrants all over Italy especially, in the eyes of Florentine society and this was 14th century. The De Medici did not like to produce an environment where they had more freedom of expression engage in war and this enabled them did not want to produce many great artworksexpand Florentine territory.<ref>StrathernHibbert, p 65. 156</ref> Lorenzo not only patronized these great artists but they also patronized many humanists and writers They favored peace and believed that war was bad for trade. In this, they all helped had a decidedly modern outlook. Cosimo the Elder worked tirelessly for peace in the North of Italy. He sought to make Florence establish a leading intellectual center. Ironically, it has been suggested that balance of power in the region between the main powers and the de Medici’s lavish expenditure on exclusion of foreign powers such as the arts French and buildings led the Holy Roman Emperor. Cosimo helped to negotiate an end to their financial difficulties from a series of wars in Lombardy and helped the 1480s onwardsmain players in Italy, Milan, which contributed Naples, Venice, and Florence to reach an agreement to their ‘expulsion from the city in 1494respect each other’s territorial integrity.<ref>Miles, p 134 </ref>

Lorenzo, the Magnificent, followed his grandfather’s policies about maintaining a balance of power in Italy. This led Lorenzo and other Northern Italian leaders to negotiate the Treaty of Lodi that brought peace and stability to North and Central Italy.<ref>Hibbert, p. 118</ref> The de Medici through their policies did much to bring peace and security 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=Conclusionas2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ae832840e01fbaf68a8af9739f4806f4 Magnifico: The Brilliant Life and Violent Times of Lorenzo de Medici during their rule ]</i>, (London, Simon and Schuster 2008), p. 134</ref> It is not a coincidence that the cultural zenith of the Italian Renaissance occurred when Florence was stable. Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael produced their most celebrated works when Northern Italy was experiencing an unprecedented peaceful period 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.  <dh-ad/> == How did much to influence the De Medicis revive Greek Knowledge? ==[[File: De Medici One.jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|Michaelangelo – whose patrons were the De Medici]]The Renaissance was inspired by the Classical World of Ancient Greece and to enable Rome. However, until the great artistsfifteenth century, the Italian humanists, only knew of Ancient Greece and writers, to produce their the great works that have been so influential down of Plato and the other great Greeks through the centuriesRomans. The family brought stability Cosimo the Elder helped to introduce Ancient Greek manuscripts and peace 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 city Council of Florencein 1439. This Union ultimately failed, but it was crucial in to have a profound impact on the development of the cultural flourishing Renaissance.  The Byzantine Emperor visited Florence in 1493 to ratify the city in Union, and he was attended by several hundred followers among them the fifteenth centurygreat Neoplatonist philosopher George Gemistos Plethon.<ref> Miles, p. The de Medici largely peaceful rule did much 123</ref> Cosimo had failed to promote achieve a lasting union between the Renaissance in eastern and the citywestern Church. They also However, he inspired renewed interest in their relations with the other city-states did much works of the Greeks as he patronized several Greek scholars from Byzantium and appeared to bring peace to North Italyhave secured some manuscripts that were previously unknown in Florence. Then In the Byzantine Empire, there were many great works from the de Medici Greek past that were very instrumental unknown in Italy. The city of Florence soon became the growing 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 historyphilosophers such as Pico Della Mirandola. == Why were the De Medici art patrons? ==[[File:Medici Two. Cosimo jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|Lorenzo the Magnificent]]All of the de Medici had an interest in the arts in the fifteenth century and his policies promotedart was used to legitimize the family's rule of Florence. 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, unintentionallyarchitecture, and literature. Cosimo was very knowledgeable about architecture and Lorenzo the study Magnificent was a connoisseur of paintings and sculptures.  The Medici’s used their lavish wealth to patronize many of the works greatest artists of the Greekstime. This The family was to move directly responsible for some of the greatest works in the Renaissance in new directions. Cosimo the Elder was the patron of the great architect Bruneschelli, especially and it was under De Medici orders that he built the influence great Medici Sacristy in the Church of NeoplatonismSan Lorenzo. Then there It was Cosimo who ordered the patronage building of the de great De MediciPalace 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 family directly helped many great period.<ref> Hibbert, p. 134</ref>  Lorenzo was equally lavish in his patronage of artists to produce many new 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 Magnificent especially helped young Michelangelo to raise study works from the Classical Period. Michelangelo produced his first significant works under the status patronage of Lorenzo.<ref>Miles, p 145</ref> Michelangelo formed part of Lorenzo’s household, and he treated artists as the artists equals of humanist scholars and poets.  Lorenzo's treatment of articles was unprecedented in Florentine societyRepublican Florence, where painters and sculptors had only been ranked as mere tradesmen or common craftsmen. '<ref> Miles, 117</ref> By This treatment raised the time status of their expulsion the artists in 1494, the family eyes of Florentine society and this was to produce an environment where they had made more freedom of expression, and this enabled them to produce many great artworks.<ref>Strathern, p 65</ref> Lorenzo not only patronized these great artists but they also patronized many humanists and writers and they all helped to make Florence a significant contribution leading intellectual center. Ironically, it has been suggested that the de Medici’s lavish expenditure on the arts and buildings led to their financial difficulties from the development of the Renaissance1480s onwards, which has been crucial contributed to their ‘expulsion from the city in the evolution of the modern world1494. <ref>Miles, p 134 </ref><div class="portal" style=References==<references/'float:right; width:35%'>

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{{Mediawiki:Cosimo de Medici and his policies promoted, unintentionally, the study of the works of the Greeks. This was to move the Renaissance History}}in new directions, especially under the influence of Neoplatonism. Then there was the patronage of the de Medici; the family directly helped many great artists to produce many new and great works of art. Lorenzo the Magnificent especially helped to raise the status of the artists in Florentine society. By the time of their expulsion in 1494, the family had made a significant contribution to the development of the Renaissance, which has been crucial in the evolution of the modern world.