Florence Birthplace of the Renaissance

The Renaissance began in the Italian city-state of Florence. Florence had grown rich from trade, and its wealthy families could afford to support scholars, writers and artists. Founded by the Romans, Florence also had a legacy of ancient Roman civilization.
In the 1400s, the rich and powerful Medici family ruled Florence. Much of their wealth supported thinkers and artists whose works made Florence the birthplace of the Renaissance. But envious rivals were plotting to destroy the Medici. On April 26, 1478, Sunday services had just begun in Florence’s magnificent cathedral. Armed men surrounded and stabbed Giuliano de Medici to death. His brother Lorenzo fought free of the attackers and escaped into a nearby room and bolted the door.
The reason for this attack lay in an old feud between the Medicis and another wealthy family of Florence, the Pazzis. The Medici family had originally made their money in banking. Like many rich families, they married their sons and daughters to members of other wealthy families, hoping to assure that merged money would grow. In fact, the Medici family was related to the Pazzi family. Lorenzo’s sister Bianca  was married to a Pazzi.
Lorenzo (called “the Magnificent”), Giuliano and Bianca were the grandchildren of Cosimo de Medici. In his time, Cosimo was probably the wealthiest man in Europe. An important way the Medicis used their great wealth, was as patrons of the arts, people who provide economic support for artists. They hired architects to design huge houses, both in Florence and in the surrounding countryside. They paid artists to design costly objects for their homes and to paint their portraits. They employed musicians to compose music and entertain at their parties. They donated art to the city. In fact, Medicis for several generations helped to advance the cultural movement that we call the Renaissance.
In Renaissance Florence, having great wealth also meant having political power. The Medici family had this power in Florence off and on for about 300 years. Florence was a republic, a form of government in which citizens elect their leaders. Members of Florence’s ruling executive council usually served a short term in office, sometimes only two months. The goal was to prevent any one person from having too much influence.
In reality, however, government in Florence was based on a system of patronage. This meant powerful families could appoint family members and friends to jobs and grant other favors. Powerful families could also prevent other ambitious families from gaining a foothold in government.
Bribes, scandals and spies often went along with political power in Florence. The Medici family were effective at using power as they were spending money on art. This link between power, money and the arts was vital to the development of the Renaissance. Throughout the Italian city-states, powerful ruling families used their wealth to be patrons of the arts.
The Pazzi family was also in the banking business. They had many other interests, including shipping and investments in the cloth trade. They wanted more power, and the Medicis stood in their way. Along with some other Medici rivals – including an archbishop – the Pazzi family decided to murder Giuliano and Lorenzo in church.
The plot failed because Lorenzo escaped and lived. The conspirators ran away. But Medici supporters in the government demanded and got swift justice. The conspirators were caught and hanged in public. Lorenzo the Magnificent held on to his power in Florence until his death in 1492. He is buried in the Medici Chapel in the Church of San Lorenzo in Florence. The chapel was designed by Michelangelo, one of the Renaissance’s greatest artists.