MEDICI, the name of a famous Italian family. Legend de clared that the house was founded by Perseus, and that Benvenuto Cellini's bronze Perseus holding on high the head of Medusa was executed and placed in the Loggia dei Lanzi at Florence to sym bolize the victory of the Medici over the republic. The name appears in Florentine chronicles as early as the close of the 12th century.
The first of the family to be a distinct figure in history was Salvestro dei Medici, who, in 1378, was the real leader in the revolt of the Ciompi (wool-carders). The lesser gilds had gained some ground by this riot, and Salvestro dei Medici the great popularity at which he had aimed.
Giovanni, son of Averardo Bicci dei Medici (136o-1429), may be considered the actual founder of Medicean greatness. He realized an immense fortune by trade—establishing banks in Italy and abroad, which in his successor's hands became the most efficient engines of political power. The Council of Constance (1414-1418) enabled Giovanni dei Medici to realize enormous profits. Like his ancestor Salvestro, he was a constant supporter of the lesser gilds in Florence. Historians record his frequent resistance to the Albizzi when they sought to oppress the people with heavier taxation, and his endeavours to cause the chief weight to fall upon the rich. For this he gained a great reputa tion. Giovanni dei Medici died in 1429 leaving two sons, Cosimo (1389-1464) and Lorenzo (1395-1440). From the former pro ceeded the branch that ruled for many generations over the nominal republic of Florence, and gave to Italy the popes Leo X. and Clement VII. On the extinction of this elder line in the 16th century, the younger branch derived from Lorenzo, Cosimo's brother, for two centuries supplied grand-dukes to Tuscany.
Cosimo.—Cosimo, surnamed Cosimo the Elder, and honoured after his death by the title of pater patriae, first succeeded in solving the problem of becoming absolute ruler of a republic keenly jealous of its liberty, without holding any fixed office, without suppressing any previous form of government, and always preserving the appearance and demeanour of a private citizen. Born in 1389, he was forty when his father died. He showed much taste and an earnest love both for letters and art. But he was devoted to business to the day of his death, and like his f ore fathers gained wealth through his friendly relations with the papal court. He inherited the leadership of the opposition to the then dominant party of the greater gilds headed by Rinaldo degli Albizzi, Palla Strozzi and Niccolo da Uzzano.
Cosimo was generous in lending and even giving money when it suited his political ends. He is said to have fomented the war with Lucca, and to have made money out of it. When the fortune of war turned against Florence, Cosimo turned on the Albizzi and their friends who were mainly responsible for its conduct. The Albizzi vowed revenge. A general assembly of the people was convoked and a balia chosen, which changed the government and sent Cosimo into exile at Padua.
Finally, on Sept. 1,
a signory was elected in Florence composed of his friends, and his recall was decreed. Rinaldo degli Albizzi determined to oppose it by force, but his attempt failed, and he left Florence never to return. For three centuries, dating from that moment, the whole history of Florence was con nected with that of the house of Medici.
Cosimo secured himself by exiling the most powerful citizens to all parts of Italy. It was impossible for Cosimo openly to assume the position of tyrant of Florence, nor was it worth his while to become gonfalonier, since the term of office lasted only two months. He attained his object by securing the control of the magistracy, whose members were appointed for a five year term.
Without the title of prince, this merchant showed royal generosity in his expenditure for the promotion of letters and the fine arts. Besides his palace in the city, he constructed noble villas at Careggi, Fiesole and other places. He built the Badia of Fiesole, and the St. Lorenzo church in Florence, and enlarged the church and monastery of St. Mark. Even in distant Jerusalem he endowed a hospice for the use of pilgrims. He was the patron of Donatello, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Luca della Robbia, and many others. Cosimo purchased many Greek and Latin manuscripts ; he opened the first public library at St. Mark's at his own expense, and founded another in the abbey of Fiesole. The Greek refugees from Constantinople found a constant welcome in his palace. During the Council of Florence (1439-1442), Gemistus Pletho spoke to him with enthusiasm of the Platonic philosophy. Cosimo was so deeply attracted by the theme that he decided to have the young Marsilio Ficino (q.v.) trained in philosophy and Greek learning in order to make a Latin translation of the complete works of Plato. Through Ficino he founded that Platonic academy which led to such important re sults in the history of Italian philosophy and letters. On Aug. 1, 1464, Cosimo died at the age of seventy-five, while engaged in listening to one of Plato's dialogues.