Link to Medici Godfathers of renaissance: 2- Magnificent Medici documentary
Documentary Description
Florence, August 1466: Lorenzo de'Medici, the 17-year-old
heir to the dynasty, foils a murderous plot against his father and
saves his family from a coup d'etat. The Medici still dominate
Florence, but now take extra precautions, picking a useful bride for
Lorenzo. Clarice Orsini, a baron's daughter and cardinal's niece,
brings connections, class, and military muscle to the Medici dynasty.
In the workshops of Florence, business has never been better. Under
Medici patronage, artists like Sandro Botticelli go on to redefine the
Renaisssance itself. For now, Botticelli's “Adoration of the Magi”
confirms his position at the heart of Medici power.
A New Leader
At just 20, Lorenzo becomes Capo of the Medici family. The young Godfather opens his doors to the ordinary people of Tuscany.
In exchange for whatever they can afford, Lorenzo offers help and protection. This network of mutual favor is called the
amici degli amici - the friends of friends.
Regular salons inside the Medici Palace bring together the cream of
Florence's literati. Inspired, Botticelli creates an entirely new genre
of art. Into a world dominated by the Church, Lorenzo injects a spirit
of secular freedom yet he is also making enemies fast.
The Pazzi family are jealous of Lorenzo's awesome power. With the
support of the Pope, they plot to murder both Lorenzo and his brother.
Murder in the Cathedral
Easter Sunday, April 26, 1478: Thousands pack inside the great
cathedral of Florence. Amongst them, Lorenzo, his brother, and the
Pazzi family. At the height of the ceremony, hired assassins swoop on
the Medici brothers. Giuliano is stabbed 19 times and dies in front of
his horrified family. Lorenzo vanishes.
The city descends into chaos. Word spreads of assassination, and the
Pazzi try to seize control. Suddenly, at the windows of his palace,
Lorenzo emerges, blood-soaked and wounded, but alive.
The city turns on the Pazzi, and its vengeance is brutal.
Il Magnifico
Giuliano's murder shocks Italy. Allies of the Pazzi want to finish the
job that they started, and declare war on Florence. Lorenzo travels
alone, to negotiate with the godfathers of the south. “Perhaps God
wills that this war, which began with the blood of my brother and
myself, should be ended by my means.”
He returns to Florence triumphant, having bribed the King of Naples and foiled the Pope.
Hailed il Magnifico
(magnificent) by his grateful city, Lorenzo eliminates all opposition.
He adopts his dead brother's bastard son, and brings the entire
government under his personal control. Lorenzo is now a dictator.
The Renaisssance continues to flourish. Botticelli is commissioned to
paint a wedding present for the Godfather's cousin, “The Birth of
Venus”. Leonardo da Vinci is discovered and brought into the Medici
fold. In the world's first art-school, Lorenzo discovers a boy-genius,
Michelangelo Buonarotti and adopts him into the family.
The Prophet of Doom
Lorenzo's appetite for material culture and his taste for high-living
offends a zealous young monk. Girolamo Savonarola believes Lorenzo is
leading Florence on a decadent path to destruction. He begins to preach
against the Medici, “Go and tell Lorenzo to repent of his sins, for God
will punish him and his family!“
In 1492, Lorenzo falls ill. Savonarola's predictions are coming true,
and his support in Florence grows. The fortunes of the Medici bank
collapse and the family's network of influence begins to fall apart.
Lorenzo dies aged 42. Savonarola spreads his breed of fundamentalism
throughout Florence. All traces of extravagance are consumed in the Bonfire of the Vanities. Prostitutes are beaten, homosexuals burned to death. The Medici are banished.
Florence, in search of salvation, has become a vision of Hell.
