How did the Medici family rule Florence for so long?

The Medici family ruled the city of Florence throughout the Renaissance. They had a major influence on the growth of the Italian Renaissance through their patronage of the arts and humanism. The Medici family were wool merchants and bankers. Both businesses were very profitable and the family became extremely wealthy.

When did the Medici lose control over Florence?

The last Medici ruler died without a male heir in 1737, ending the family dynasty after almost three centuries.

Who was the last Medici to rule Florence?

Gian Gastone
The last Medici ruler, Gian Gastone, died without a male heir in 1737, ending the family dynasty after almost three centuries and beginning the long European reign of the Hapsburg-Lorraine family.

Does the Medici family still exist today?

The Medicis (yes, those Medicis) are back, and starting a challenger bank. The latest U.S. challenger bank has a unique origin: the powerful Medici family, which ruled Florence and Tuscany for more than two centuries and founded a bank in 1397. The Medicis invented banking conventions that still exist.

Who ruled Florence after Medici?

After the rule of the Medici, Florence was governed from outside, as Francis Stephen of Lorraine, the husband of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, became the grand duke of Tuscany. Following a Napoleonic interlude, Leopold II of Habsburg was the last outside ruler (1824–59).

What disease did Lorenzo Medici have?

Lorenzo de’ Medici, who was the son of Ferdinand I, suffered of epilepsy (ASF, Mediceo del Principato 908. 365. 2 Aprile 1602). During the Renaissance, many different substances were used to treat the ‘falling sickness’.

What happened to Lorenzo Medici wife?

Lorenzo was not present at the death of his wife, Clarice. She died about four years before he did and he was not in Florence when it happened.

Who ruled Florence after Lorenzo Medici?

Piero II
Lorenzo’s son Piero II took over as the head of Florence after Lorenzo’s death. The Medici were expelled from Florence from 1494 to 1512 after Piero acceded to all of the demands of invader Charles VIII of France.