The Medicis were a patrician family which unofficially ruled over Florence, Italy at many points. During the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries, the Medici family experienced such increases in power that they were basically the unoffficial monarchy of Italy.
The Medicis were an Italian family which was a guiding force in Florence during the 15th century, until 1737. They gained their power through their immense wealth through being merchants, fabric dyers, and bankers. They became tied to the royal houses of Europe through marriage and acquired the grand duke of Tuscany, as well as produced three popes, Leo X, Clement VII, and Leo XI. They also produced two queens of France, Catherine de’ Medici and Marie de’ Medici and several cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church. The Medicis rose to power in Florence as the capitalist class triumphed over the guild merchants and artisans. The Medicis went on to exert actual control over the government without holding any permanent official position when the democratic constitution of Florence was upheld. They were expelled from Florence in 1433, from 1494 to 1512m and from 1527 to 1530. Attempts of the Florentine republicans terminated in failure because the Medici’s wealth and powerful connections overrode the republican influence. The Medicis were passionate patrons of the arts, literature and education. Their zeal led to Florence’s rise to become the richest repository of European culture since Athens when ruled by Pericles. As culture flourished, Florence prospered economically and territorially, expanding its land into other cultures, that reached its zenith in the 16th century. The Medicis’ enemies labeled their rule as tyrannical. Although their rule was tolerant and considerate of its followers at first, their power became stultifying and bigoted in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Painting at top of page: Portrait of Isabelle de' Medici, By Bronzino, Agnolo
