Lorenzo de 'Medici, Florence and a master in the art.

550 years ago was Lorenzo de Medici, ruler born in the Italian city of Florence, famous artists like Michelangelo and Botticelli promoted and funded, so ushered in the era of the Renaissance.

While the state in most of Europe still medieval thought and action, medieval art and science the tone in Italy produces a new dawn of time man and knowledge, to change life in Europe: the Renaissance.

But this way of thinking and new ways to spread the art, they need fans and sponsors, especially those with a lot of money and power. One of the most important of which Lorenzo de 'Medici, the fortunes of the city of Florence in the second half of the 15th century determined.

Small but powerful - the city-state in northern Italy
During his stay in Italy is composed of many small states. Especially in northern Italy, there are numerous city-states like Venice, Genoa, Pisa, Milan to Florence. The navigation and trade, have become rich and powerful. In contrast to most European countries are not ruled by kings and emperors, but they are republics. In fact, however, not the people the final say, but a few powerful families whose names are combined in part over several centuries with the history of cities.

Medici holds the reins
Florence at 15 and 16 century by the Medici family controlled. The influence of the merchant family goes far beyond the city limits. Two of his descendants and the popes from the early 16th century, the rule for generations Medici, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

Through intermarriage, which are also connected to many major European dynasties. Therefore, Catherine de Medici (1519-1589) and Maria de Medici (1573-1642) Queen of France and Claudia de Medici (1604-1648) Archduchess of Austria. But all that takes place only after the death of Lorenzo. What role Lorenzo de 'Medici, also called "The Magnificent" is called?

Lorenzo and politics
On 1 January 1449 I was born in Lorenzo de Medici. "His father Piero ruled as a prince of the medieval Italian city-state of  Florence. When he dies 1469 Lorenzo takes only the age of 20 his father's business. Although the role Lorenzo has no power in the republic, who really has everything under control. Only those who supported him, the possibility of an office in the city. All leaders are more or less dependent on him.

How does it do? He is very rich, but his family owns the bank Banca dei Medici. As an employer, which is supporting strong financial support to politicians who act in its spirit. It is also dedicated time and again averted the disaster business tactics in the city that is about to become part of the Papal States. Even an attempt to murder, the victim is his brother escape, Lorenzo and becomes even more powerful.

Lorenzo and the Arts
Also important meets Lorenzo Officials also a circle of artists, philosophers, architects and writers around, which he financed. These include the painter Sandro Botticelli, whose famous work, The Birth of Venus, symbol of the Renaissance.

Instead of the usual in the Middle Ages, the Christian saint, which represents the ancient goddesses who represent the full confidence to show their beauty. Drawing on the ancient art, impressed by a brand new image of man: God no more, but the focus is on people. The individual is important.

Equally important, this change of view of the statue of David by Michelangelo Buonarroti. Michelangelo's most famous artists of the Renaissance is part of the circle of the Medici. Lorenzo pattern is not limited in the kind of money, who also writes poems himself and not, as usual far learned Latin, but in their own language, Italian. He received the honorary title of "il Magnifico," the Magnificent.

Equally important, this change of view of the statue of David by Michelangelo Buonarroti. Michelangelo's most famous artists of the Renaissance is part of the circle of the Medici. Lorenzo pattern is not limited in the kind of money, who also writes poems himself and not, as usual far learned Latin, but in their own language, Italian. He received the honorary title of "il Magnifico," the Magnificent.

After him, the deluge
Lorenzo is certainly a very successful politician, but fails to establish a successor who is his equal. His son Piero Although it uses its stores, just interested in running the country and squandered the trust of the people. Lorenzo died in 1492, and the stormy times to break in Florence.

Just two years later, the monk Girolamo Savonarola, the leadership of the tears of the city itself. It sells the Medici family, criticized the fact that people turned away from God and can burn anything that looks like a luxury - whether art or jewelry, books, furniture, o. But Savonarola can have only four years. 1498 was executed. Medici again and grandson of Lorenzo, Lorenzo II back in business. The changing history of the Medici is ongoing and more to Mary de Medici died in 1737, whose last descendant.