Fueled by the ideal of magnificenza, the wealthiest families of Fifteenth century Florence radically changed the city’s structural appearance with the construction of palazzos. A truly versatile structure, the palazzo or palace refers to a large building in the city that could function as a governmental or institutional facility, as well as a private residence. Seen in this period as a way to offer jobs back to the people of Florence, the societal mentality of using wealth for private means has shifted from a sin to be atoned for in the afterlife, to a virtue because it made it possible to reconcile celebrating the patrons success and personal worth with the ideals of embellishing the city. The growing democratization of Florentine society …show more content…
Though the Pazzi family were an older, nobler lineage than the Medici, maintained good commercial terms with their Medici rivals and allied through intermarriage, Lorenzo de’ Medici remained wary of Jacopo Pazzi’s ambition and resolved to keep the family out of government office during the 1470s, for they were still rivals in his eyes. The Medici’s, being one of the most notable families in history had their fair share of enemies, one being the sinister nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, who approached the younger Jacopo Pazzi with plans for a vicious coup d’état. Finding the opportunity of power far too irresistible to ignore, the two planned an assault on Giuliano and Lorenzo de ‘Medici on Easter Sunday in front of an audience of 10,000 devout Roman Catholics in a Florence Cathedral. The Pazzi family believed that a public assassination would cement their undisputed power over Medici lands and Florence and to strike fear in the hearts of Medici loyalists. While Giuliano de’ Medici died, the assassin assigned to kill Lorenzo de ’Medici found himself hesitating a second too long, allowing for Lorenzo’s escape and the ultimate demise of the Pazzi …show more content…
The dying and excommunicated Archbishop of Florence is said to have sank his teeth into the thigh of his co- conspirator, Francesco de ‘Pazzi. There was no hope of escape from the wrath of such a malicious attempt as one conspirator was hunted down in the streets of Constantinople, and handed over by the Ottoman Emperor, whether this action was made in loyalty or fear is yet to be seen. Another's decomposing corpse was ripped from its grave and propped against the doors of the Pazzi Palace using the fetid head used as a door
In the book, Giovanni and Lusanna, by Gene Bucker, he discusses the scandalous actions of a Florentine woman taking a wealthy high status man to court over the legality of their marriage. Published in 1988, the book explains the legal action taken for and against Lusanna and Giovanni, the social affects placed on both persons throughout their trial, and the roles of both men and women during the time. From the long and complicated trial, it can be inferred that women’s places within Florentine society were limited compared to their male counterparts and that women’s affairs should remain in the home. In this paper, I will examine the legal and societal place of women in Florentine society during the Renaissance. Here, I will argue that women were the “merchandise” of humanity and their main objective was to produce sons.
“I’ll be out of here and away from all you knaves for one time anyway, as not a month will pass before you’ll see whether I’m nobody or a somebody.” The story of Bianco Alfani reflected the nature of 14th century Florentine society where, as Alfani remarked, the election to public office could make or destroy a person. In late 14th century and early 15th century Florence, decreased population and expanding commerce provided a favorable environment for ambitious individuals. The real life examples of Buonaccorso Pitti and Gregorio Dati demonstrated the positive role of ambition in Florence. Pitti, a nobleman had an extremely successful career, partaking in military campaigns, holding public office in Florence and being an ambassador to foreign courts. Gregorio Dati, the grandson of purse venders, engaged in commerce, rising in social standing which culminated with his election to public office. Holding office was a definitive sign of success and recognition in Florence. In contrast was the tale Bianco Alfani, a deemed man unworthy of office. As told by Piero Veneziano, Alfani was the chief jailor in Florence who was duped into believing he had been named captain of the town of Norcia. Alfani publicly made a fool of himself, spending all his money and creating a great fanfare over his supposed appointment. Comparing the lives of Pitti and Dati to the story of Bianco Alfani illustrates how economic and social change in 14th century Florence produced a culture centered on reputation and commerce. For men like Pitti and Dati, who flourished within the constraints of Florentine society, their reward was election to office, a public mark of acceptance and social standing. Those who were ambitious but failed to abide by the values o...
Personally, I always find it irrational and barbaric that two groups of people can allow money and power to ruin a relationship. Greed can sometimes be our greatest enemy and with revenge as a compliment, a disaster starts to brew, or in this case the Medici Pazzi conspiracy. Most stories are written in the view of the victor, however, Martines treats the reader to insight on the Pazzi mindset. Thus, Martinez’s thesis is revealed throughout the novel and is supported that politics, conflicts of interests, greed, and power were the main underlying factors that decided the relationship and outcome of the powerful Medici family and the quickly rising Pazzi influence.
A rediscover of their history and recognition of early Greek philosophers changed the way that the influential families and Princes, in Italy, considered themselves. Their way of thinking of the Devine and need to promote one’s own aspirations through sponsorship of the arts, as well as, civic duty became not only fashionable but important to progress in the city states. Although Donatello’s David and Botticelli’s Primavera are master pieces in their own right, their influence on future generations of artists cannot be ignored. The spark that ignited the fire which we call the Renaissance was a transformation of societies thinking and values to a Humanistic approach to one duties to society and the church. These two works are a reflection of the changing attitudes which would eventually change all of
In architecture buildings were made bigger and grander than ever before, this was because of new rules were created pertaining to proportion and perspective. Temples dedicated to wealth (often disguised as something else ) popped up all over Florence and the rest of the world, because of the return of antiquity and referring back to the "classics" of the Greek and Roman past.
Shaun Bhikhi Professor Wunder History 241 February 20, 2016 The View of Golden Florence During the 15th century, the city of Florence was in an elegant and rich state. Giovanni Rucellai, a patron and successful merchant, studied the city of Florence and recorded his journey as a diary entry and a descriptive narrative (Rucellai, p.72). Rucellai wrote this diary entry in Florence during the year of 1457. In this diary entry he described the stunning city and emphasized its elegant environment to others. Rucellai was trying to reveal interesting facts and specific information about the city to an audience who were studying or wondering about it.
Medici Enlightenment In the era of the renaissance, money was dangerously unsafe, the transportation of funds between metropolitans was unclear and confusing, each city had their own rules while other cities currency was unstable, and bartering. This brought frustration and corruption throughout the means of currency during this era. Coped with the daunting challenge to bring order, a family by the name Medici rose to power by establishing the fundamentals of common banking to light. Consequently, the Medici family organized the means of doing business transactions throughout multiple metropolitan cites through branches of the Medici banking system.
The Medici’s were a prominent family in the Renaissance, who ruled Florence from 1434 to 1737. They are regarded as being one of the most powerful and richest families in the whole of Europe. The Medics used this great status and wealth to develop an improved Florence, one that was significantly influenced by the Renaissance. The Medici family can most certainly be regarded as the significant heroes of the Renaissance. This is due to their significant promotion and patronage in the arts, in turn bringing focus back to the antiquities, a major importance during the Renaissance period. Furthermore, the Medicis can be considered the great heroes of the Renaissance, due to their significant influence of Renaissance Humanist thinking. On top of this, although the Medici family were allegedly corrupt and supposedly paid many bribes in order to become so powerful, they still focused on benefiting the heart of the Renaissance- the city-state of Florence- and should thus not be considered the great villains of the Renaissance, but instead the heroes.
His escape was well arranged. On November 24th the Pope, dressed as a simple priest escaped with the aid of the French and Bavarian ambassadors to Gaeta, a seaside town south of the Papal
He commanded the militia until the pope backed Medici family placed florence under siege with spanish troops. Once the medici family regained ruling power they began a political cleanup, stripping all their enemies, perceived or otherwise of power. After loosing all power he was then accused of treason against the Medici family, as his name was found seventh on a list of potential saboteurs. After three weeks of extreme torture in which he was lifted up, then dropped by his bound arms, he
His patronage of artists and engineers secured Milan’s reputation as a lavish court but mostly at the expense of the taxpayers (Bosisio). Without the patronage of il Moro da Vinci would not
Florence, Italy was a city just like any other during the Renaissance. It was city of 50,000 people, less than there were in Paris and Venice but more than most other European cities. The busiest parts of the city were the Ponte Vecchio, a place lined with markets and houses, the neighborhood of the Orsanmichele and Mercato Vecchio, or the Old Market. Florence was a place of beauty and leisure. A Venetian visitor once said, “There is in my opinion no region more sweeter than that wherein Florence is a placed for Florence is situated in a plain surrounded on all sides by hills and mountains…And the hills are fertile cultivated, pleasant…” (Unger, pg. 1). Florence was a very prosperous city; it made fortunes off of wool and banking trades. A certain Florentine family contributed to the vast wealth as well. The Medici family was no doubt the foundation of prosperity for Florence.
---. Roman Villas: A Study in Social Structure. London: Routledge, 1997. Questia School. Web. 5 May 2014.
The social conditions that contributed to the style of the Baroque are of particular importance, as well. During these years, it was very common for the rulers of that time to hold absolute power over their people. Some will call it the “age of absolutism”. Because of this, many common people never really experienced the benefits of this era. This was reserved for the wealthy and well-connected in that society. The politics of the day were driven b...
"Famiglia De Medici: The Extraordinary Story Of The Family That Financed The Renaissance." Business Insider. 6 Dec. 2013. .