The Medici dynasty: the genealogical tree, history, the secrets of the dynasty, the famous representatives of the Medici dynasty

The famous dynasty of the Medici is most often associated with the Italian Renaissance. The descendants of this rich family ruled Florence for a long time and made of it the cultural and scientific center of Europe.

Origin of the dynasty

There are several versions of the origin of this genus. The widespread urban legend attributed the relationship of the Medici physician to Charles the Great - the founder of the Frankish Empire. The family held the view that their roots go back to one of the knights, who served at the court of this emperor.

In the XII century the dynasty of the Medici moved to Florence. Family members engaged in usury and quickly became rich. Rich bankers soon infiltrated the city's administrative apparatus and began to occupy elected offices in Florence. The family had both ups and downs. In the XII century, bankers tried to take part in the political life of the city, supporting one of the local parties. The main conflict of interest in Florence was then between the rich nobility and the poor. Salvestro Medici supported the tramps, who organized a riot against the aristocrats. When they were defeated, the financier was deported from the city.

In exile, the Medici dynasty did not last long, but even during that time, it achieved notable successes in usury. The first branches of banks were opened in Venice and Rome.

Elevation

The first head of the Florentine Republic in the Medici family was Cosimo the Old. He held this position from 1434 to 1464. He managed to come to power, taking advantage of his money, influence and discontent of the people of the past government, which imposed excessive taxes and useless wars. It was Cosimo who became the founder of the tradition of patronizing art and other areas of the Renaissance.

The dynasty of the Medici successfully invested money. The fact is that in the 15th century Italy became the center of culture and art in Europe. Many Greeks fled here, who left their homeland after the capture of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453. Many of them brought unique books to Italy (including Florence) and held lectures unknown to Europeans. It sparked interest in the history of antiquity. A whole school of humanism arose from it. All these phenomena were financed and stimulated by the Medici dynasty. The story remained grateful to her, even despite the many political intrigues that were the norm at the time.

Lorenzo the Magnificent

Even after Cosimo's death, the Medici dynasty continued to reign in Florence. Lorenzo the Magnificent (his grandson) became the most famous member of the family. He was born in 1448, and became the head of the republic in 1469.

At this time, a conspiracy was formed in Florence, as a result of which the Medici dynasty was to fall. The genealogical tree nearly broke off, but Lorenzo uncovered the plan of the enemies. He was even supported by Pope Sixtus IV. But even this did not save the brother of Lorenzo Giuliano, who died at the hands of the conspirators.

Then Florence declared war several neighboring principalities, which were supported by the Roman throne. Lorenzo managed to successfully resist this coalition. In addition, he found an ally in the person of the French king. This frightened Rome, in which they did not want to fight against Paris, and the conflict subsided.

Florence - the center of the Renaissance

The dynasty of the Medici and their influence on the development of Italian culture at this time are flourishing. Lorenzo funded numerous educational institutions. One of them was the famous Caregé Academy, which became the all-European center of a new school of Neoplatonism. The Florentine court hired such geniuses of art as Sandro Botticelli and Michelangelo. Also Lorenzo was a connoisseur and connoisseur of books. He collected and enriched his own library, which became a city landmark. The head of the republic died in 1492. His bright life aggravated rumors around the Medici family. The secrets of the dynasty excited gossipers and lovers of conspiracy theories.

The attitude of Lorenzo to the Renaissance soon spread to neighboring cities. Exactly the same pace began to settle in Venice, Rome, Naples and Milan. The Renaissance was reminiscent of the heyday of the Antiquity, thanks to which it got its name.

Pope and Dukes of Tuscany

The most famous representatives of the Medici dynasty became not only the rulers of Florence, but also the popes. In 1513 he was Piero de 'Medici, who took the name of Leo X and remained on the throne until 1521. Although the high priests were not supposed to be engaged in worldly affairs, he supported the interests of his family in Florence.

Similarly, the rule of Clement VII (1523-1534). In the world he was called Giulio Medici. With him, the family was once again expelled from Florence. This led to the fact that the pope concluded an alliance with the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Charles V Habsburg, "in whose possession the sun never set." The coalition defeated the enemy, and the Medici returned to Florence. In addition, they received the title of the Dukes of Tuscany.

The rulers of Florence of this period continued to patronize art. Under Cosimo I (1537-1574) was built the famous Uffizi Gallery. Today, it attracts millions of tourists to Florence. It contains numerous masterpieces of painting, for example, the work of the legendary Leonardo da Vinci ("Annunciation" and "Adoration of the Magi").

The Queen of France

Influential rulers of Florence paid attention to dynastic marriages. Thus, two women of this kind became the spouses of French kings. It was the wife of Henry II Catherine (1547-1559) and the wife of Henry IV Maria (1600-1610). The first of them was even a regent and in general had a great political influence. Catherine is known to millions of fans of the talent of Alexandre Dumas, in whose novels she was the main character. It also went down in history after the bloody Bartholomew's night and the massacre of many Huguenots.

The French dynasty from Catherine de 'Medici was cut short by two of her children - Charles IX and Henry III. On the father they belonged to Valois. After them, the Bourbons came to power in 1589. Nevertheless, it is difficult to underestimate the influence that the Medici family has had on the whole of Europe. The dynasty became the personification of the Renaissance with all its vivid and controversial events.

The Decline of Florence

Despite the impact on other countries, the main area of interest of the Medici has always been Florence - their main domain and real homeland. The decline of the Tuscan duchy began under Cosimo II (1609-1621). He spent a lot of money on wars and conflicts with neighbors. The Duke was distinguished by insane plans to subdue his enemies, including the Spanish crown. At the same time, he was known for his support of Galileo, which continued the glorious traditions of Lorenzo the Magnificent.

At his son Ferdinand II (1621-1670) there was a Pan-European Thirty Years' War between Catholics and Protestants. At this time, the decline of Florence continued, which no longer depended on the Medici. The discovery of America and other promising markets made Italy a provincial country, and not an economic center of Europe. Financial flows went to the markets of Spain, England and other colonial powers.

The end of the dynasty

At the same time, the very dynasty of the Medici stopped. Her last representative Giovanni-Gastaut (ruled in 1723-1737) was painful and childless. After his death, the Duchy of Tuscany moved to the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Franz I Stefan, who in Florence became the title of Francesco II. So the city of the Medici for a long time passed to the Habsburgs.