Lorenzo de' Medici

Machiavelli or Niccolò Machiavelli was born in Florence, Italy 3rd May 1469 during Renaissance. He was known as Italian or Florentine historian, politician, diplomat, and philosopher. In 1494, there’s one well-known political family in Italy called Medici family—already ruled Florence for 40 years, which removed temporarily from power. Thus, Florence was under control by Girolamo Savonarola a Dominican monk who obsessed to transform Florence into a “Christian City” as he named the city “New…

book was being written. Machiavelli was a bureaucrat under the Republican government before he lost his job to the supporters of Medici during 1512. At the end of 1513 or even the early 1514, the time period when Nicolo Machiavelli, wrote The Prince. During that time period, Machiavelli was seeking to regain his status in the Florentine government. Meanwhile, the Medici family had been driven from power in Florentine. In addition, during the time period when this book was written, Italy was…

Milan is a large, wealthy city in Northern Italy. The Sforza family have long held power in the city. While in 1499 troops serving Louis XII of France sought to take Milan, the Sforza triumphed in preserving their hold. Preternatural blood flows through the Sforza family's veins, and there are rumors of dragons or demons lurking in their lineage. Numerous intermarriages between the Sforza's and other influential families have taken place, assuring the spread of the family's influence throughout…

In the 15th century, the Medici family ruled over Florence. They were a family of bankers and merchants who rose to power due to their enormous wealth. They were also influential in the art community by being patrons of artists such as Donatello and Michelangelo. Their interest in humanism would have them seek out artists to paint or sculpt classical figures such as Venus from Roman mythology or David from the Bible. They would also help with funding the construction of the Florence…

About the author Sir Henry Wotton (1568-1639) was an English poet, diplomat and politician. His family was well- to-do and he received a good education. Wotton was appointed ambassador to the court of Venice and later the provost of Eton College. He served as Member of Parliament in 1614 and 1625. He was knighted by James VI. His love for classical architecture developed during his stay in Venice. His book ‘The Elements of Architecture’ sought to familiarize the English man with…

I found Brunelleschi's design of the dome for Florence's cathedral to be a fascinating topic on scientific discovery. I also chose this topic because several years ago I watched a documentary that showed the construction of a one-fifth scale model of Brunelleschi’s dome and the possible construction methods that he may have used. The story begins in Florence, Italy in the year 1296 when the fathers of the city had decided to build a church to “showcase the status of Florence as one of Europe’s…

Antonio Barberini SR Antonio Barberini is the younger brother of Maffeo Barberini, who became pope in 1623. In 1624 he made a cardinal and spent the whole day in religious devotions in Rome and eventually became a secretary after being an Inquisitor in 1629 following the death of Gian Garzia Millini. Barberini “conducted the final phase of Galileo’s trial” and sought to dominate his order with illegal actions such as appointing “one of its friars as consultor to the Inquisition” forcefully. At…

“O human race born to fly upward, wherefore at a little wind dost thou fall.” With his allegorical writing style, Dante Alighieri revolutionized literature in the renaissance period with masterpieces such as Dante’s Inferno. Dante Alighieri was born on May 21, 1265 in Florence, Italy. He was born to a wealthier family and had a good education as he learn poetry, philosophy, and many other literature skills he used in his writing. From the outside, his life looked perfect though his mother…

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Although Saint Aloysius Gonzaga has passed, his influence, story, and legacy will not be forgotten. Aloysius Gonzaga was born on March 9th, 1568. He was born in Italy to a family of power. Throughout Gonzaga’s life he endured major sickness, a conversion to the Jesuits, and a death caused by disease. Saint Gonzaga’s legacy has been remembered to this day through the naming of numerous schools and a university (“Society of Jesus”). Although his life was cut short by…

The Medici commissioned several frescos throughout Florence depicting The Adoration of Magi, which portrayed the Medici on a level equal to biblical figures. This imagery clearly would have resonated with people who saw it, as the artwork as meant to display the prevalent power and importance of the Medici and their allies (Gilbert). This implementation of propaganda through architecture would have proven…