Medici: Cosimo De Medici

Cosimo di Medici

Cosimo di Giovanni de Medici was given the title Pater Patriae of Italy at his death and was also known as the primus inter pares. He was the founder of the Medici dynasty, who were during the Renaissance the de facto rulers of Florence. Even though Cosimo Medici was a powerful man, he was not an official ruler. Medici’s government also consisted of a council who would many times resist the laws that Medici put forth. This paper will look at the accomplishments of Cosimo di Medici.

Cosimo di Medici was born on the 10th of April, 1389 in Florence. His parents were Giovanni di Bicci de Medici and Piccardo de’ Bueri. He also had a twin brother Damiano, who died as an infant. They were named after the saints Damian and Cosmas

When he died in 1429 he left them 179, 221 florins and two-thirds of the profit from the bank and many acres of land that surrounded Florence. (Burckhardt). Cosimo had much influence over the country of Florence due to the amount of wealth that he had. However, he did not hold any office as he liked to keep the illusion that he was not buying votes and that the country was a democracy. He was described as such "Political questions are settled in [Cosimo 's] house. The man he chooses holds office... He it is who decides peace and war... He is king in all but name.” (Taylor-Fritsch). However, while he may have seemed to be a king in all but name. Cosimo was a rather modest man despite his wealth and the money he spent on entertaining his guests. He worked long hours, dressed in modest clothing, ate and drank simple foods. Most importantly to the people of Florence, he was always accessible to them no matter their

Eventually when he was broke Cosimo allowed him to borrow any amount of money he would like as long as he promised to leave his collection of books to him (Burckhardt). At Niccoli’s death Cosimo inherited 800 manuscripts. (Durant). Most of these manuscripts were given to the monastery of San. Marco, and the Fiesole Abbey. The rest remained with Cosimo. In regards to Fiesole Abbey, Cosimo had been told by his book finder Vespasiano to give up the idea of finding and purchasing books as the ones that were worth buying were not easy to obtain (Burckhardt). He advised him to use a copyist instead. Cosimo agreed to pay him by the day and Vespasiano hired 45 copyists to work beneath him. They delivered to Cosimo 200 volumes in only twenty-two months