Lorenzo De Medici Research Paper
Jessica Wartman Professor Eric Roberson
HIS-121-4471
1st Paper
Lorenzo The Magnificent Lorenzo de’ Medici also know as Lorenzo the Magnificent was an Italian statesman. He was the son of Piero de’ Medici. The family came with the establishment of the Medici bank by Giovanni de’ Medici, Lorenzo’s great-grandfather (James). The banking system was appointed the official bank of the papacy. When his father Piero de’ Medici died in 1469. Young Lorenzo took over only at the age of twenty. Lorenzo de’ Medici was one of the most prominent individuals of the Italian renaissance. Lorenzo was a politician in Florence. Although he never held a title he managed to accomplish many aspects of the Florentine state; through the arts as well as through entertainment, also some violence took place (Columbia). Unlike most rulers that mainly used force and violence, Lorenzo gained his power through more peaceful manners by using his generosity …show more content…
that won the hearts and minds of his people.
The arts were a significant part of Lorenzo de’ Medici’s rule.
The reason the status of Florence’s was so high during the Italian renaissance is because of the funding from the Medici family mainly Lorenzo de’ Medici (James). Lorenzo spent an abundant amount of money on Greek and Latin literature manuscripts to have them reproduced (Columbia). His support to the arts gave him prominence in Florence. He encouraged Italian painters and sculptures, such as Sandro Botticollio, Andrea del Verrocchio, and his apprentice Leonardo Davinci. Lorenzo de’ Medici enjoyed teaching young students who came to his garden where he had a school for sculptors in San Marco to learn the styles of great artists of the past (Wagner, 56). One of his first students was Michelangelo Buonarotti who eventually designed Lorenzo’s tomb. (James). Poetry was also imperative to Lorenzo de’ Medici. He started to enjoy poetry as a young child. Lorenzo’s favorite poet was Dante Alighieri. Lorenzo’s love of poetry eventually turned into musical experimentation
(James).
Lorenzo de’ Medici loved to please the people of Florence. Lorenzo provided extravagant entertainment, splendid tournament, festivals, and breathtaking firework displays. He was extraordinarily generous and used his own money to build churches and libraries (Wagner, pg 55).
While most people in Florence respected Lorenzo, there were four men who were preparing to kill him and his brother Giuliano Lorenzo. This started in 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV was elected. The pope wanted to purchase several towns in northern Italy. Lorenzo refused to fund the land. The Pope decided he wanted to depose the Medici family and replace it with the Pazzi family, another prominent banking family. Then The Pazzi Conspiracy was born. The assassination was organized by Pope Sixtus IV and his three nephews. Sixtus IV planned to murder Lorenzo and his brother Giuliano so that Sixtus IV’s nephew Girolamo Riaro would be the new head of state. The plan did not play out as they had hoped. On Easter Sunday 1478 they successfully assassinated Giuliano, but Lorenzo got away with a small injury. They did not succeed because they did not check Lorenzo for weapons and he had a sword (Wagner, p 8-11). Once he recovered he executed three members of the Pazzi family as well as 70 other conspirators for the assassination attempt (James). As a result of the conspiracy Florence went to war with the Papacy which eventually lead to a Peace treaty is 1480. The Medici bank was eventually replaced by the Pazzi banking system as the main banking system as the official papal depository due to Lorenzo’s inadequacy to manage the banking system.
Lorenzo has several strengths which helped him gain power. One was his love of education. Lorenzo made sure the people of Florence were well educated. He constructed schools and libraries to ensure they were getting the best quality education. Lorenzo entertained the people of Florence to keep them happy. Lorenzo lavishly provided the people with festivals. Lorenzo also made sure to keep his power in control with military force and executions as needed.
Lorenzo’s only weakness was his desire to spend money. Even though he managed to make everyone happy he also made the Medici banking company fail in doing so.
Lorenzo was overall successful during his reign as the Head of State. He had a drastic impact on the Italian Renaissance. The art and education he put in place during his rule can still be seen today.
Lorenzo de’ medici had a great part in the Italian Renaissance. Lorenzo changed art history and culture. He successfully attained power by serving the needs of the people. Although he ended up failing the Medici banking system, he made a great impact on culture today.
HIS-121-4471
1st Paper
Lorenzo The Magnificent Lorenzo de’ Medici also know as Lorenzo the Magnificent was an Italian statesman. He was the son of Piero de’ Medici. The family came with the establishment of the Medici bank by Giovanni de’ Medici, Lorenzo’s great-grandfather (James). The banking system was appointed the official bank of the papacy. When his father Piero de’ Medici died in 1469. Young Lorenzo took over only at the age of twenty. Lorenzo de’ Medici was one of the most prominent individuals of the Italian renaissance. Lorenzo was a politician in Florence. Although he never held a title he managed to accomplish many aspects of the Florentine state; through the arts as well as through entertainment, also some violence took place (Columbia). Unlike most rulers that mainly used force and violence, Lorenzo gained his power through more peaceful manners by using his generosity …show more content…
that won the hearts and minds of his people.
The arts were a significant part of Lorenzo de’ Medici’s rule.
The reason the status of Florence’s was so high during the Italian renaissance is because of the funding from the Medici family mainly Lorenzo de’ Medici (James). Lorenzo spent an abundant amount of money on Greek and Latin literature manuscripts to have them reproduced (Columbia). His support to the arts gave him prominence in Florence. He encouraged Italian painters and sculptures, such as Sandro Botticollio, Andrea del Verrocchio, and his apprentice Leonardo Davinci. Lorenzo de’ Medici enjoyed teaching young students who came to his garden where he had a school for sculptors in San Marco to learn the styles of great artists of the past (Wagner, 56). One of his first students was Michelangelo Buonarotti who eventually designed Lorenzo’s tomb. (James). Poetry was also imperative to Lorenzo de’ Medici. He started to enjoy poetry as a young child. Lorenzo’s favorite poet was Dante Alighieri. Lorenzo’s love of poetry eventually turned into musical experimentation
(James).
Lorenzo de’ Medici loved to please the people of Florence. Lorenzo provided extravagant entertainment, splendid tournament, festivals, and breathtaking firework displays. He was extraordinarily generous and used his own money to build churches and libraries (Wagner, pg 55).
While most people in Florence respected Lorenzo, there were four men who were preparing to kill him and his brother Giuliano Lorenzo. This started in 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV was elected. The pope wanted to purchase several towns in northern Italy. Lorenzo refused to fund the land. The Pope decided he wanted to depose the Medici family and replace it with the Pazzi family, another prominent banking family. Then The Pazzi Conspiracy was born. The assassination was organized by Pope Sixtus IV and his three nephews. Sixtus IV planned to murder Lorenzo and his brother Giuliano so that Sixtus IV’s nephew Girolamo Riaro would be the new head of state. The plan did not play out as they had hoped. On Easter Sunday 1478 they successfully assassinated Giuliano, but Lorenzo got away with a small injury. They did not succeed because they did not check Lorenzo for weapons and he had a sword (Wagner, p 8-11). Once he recovered he executed three members of the Pazzi family as well as 70 other conspirators for the assassination attempt (James). As a result of the conspiracy Florence went to war with the Papacy which eventually lead to a Peace treaty is 1480. The Medici bank was eventually replaced by the Pazzi banking system as the main banking system as the official papal depository due to Lorenzo’s inadequacy to manage the banking system.
Lorenzo has several strengths which helped him gain power. One was his love of education. Lorenzo made sure the people of Florence were well educated. He constructed schools and libraries to ensure they were getting the best quality education. Lorenzo entertained the people of Florence to keep them happy. Lorenzo lavishly provided the people with festivals. Lorenzo also made sure to keep his power in control with military force and executions as needed.
Lorenzo’s only weakness was his desire to spend money. Even though he managed to make everyone happy he also made the Medici banking company fail in doing so.
Lorenzo was overall successful during his reign as the Head of State. He had a drastic impact on the Italian Renaissance. The art and education he put in place during his rule can still be seen today.
Lorenzo de’ medici had a great part in the Italian Renaissance. Lorenzo changed art history and culture. He successfully attained power by serving the needs of the people. Although he ended up failing the Medici banking system, he made a great impact on culture today.