Republic of Florence

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Repubblica Fiorentina Republic of Florence ← 1115–1533 → Flag Coat of arms The Republic of Florence (green) in 1494. Capital Florence Language(s) Tuscan and Latin Government Republic Gonfaloniere/de facto Ruler  - 1531-1533 (last) Alessandro de' Medici History  - Established* 1115  - Battle of Montaperti 1260  - Ciompi Revolt 1378  - Founding of the     House of Medici 1434  - Piero the Unfortunate    deposed by the    Florentines. 1494  - Pope Clement VII     declares     Alessandro de' Medici,    ”Duke of the Florentine     Republic” 1533, 1533 Currency Florin (1252-1533)

The Republic of Florence (Italian: Repubblica Fiorentina), or the Florentine Republic, was a city-state that was centered on the city of Florence, located in modern Tuscany, Italy. The republic was founded in 1115, when the Florentine people rebelled against the Margraviate of Tuscany upon Margravine Matilda of Tuscany's death. The Florentines formed a commune in Matila's place.^[1] The republic was ruled by a council, known as the signoria. The signoria was chosen by the gonfaloniere (titular ruler of the city), who was elected every two months by Florentine guild members. The republic has a chequered history of coups and counter coups against various factions. The Medici faction gained control of the city in 1434, upon Cosimo de' Medici's counter coup against the faction that sent him into exile the previous year. The Medici kept control of Florence until 1494. Leo X (later Pope Leo X) re-conquered the republic in 1512. The Medici's authority was repudiated for a second time in 1527, druing the War of the League of Cognac. The Medici re-assumed their rule in 1531, after an 11 month siege of the city. The republican government was disestablished in 1533, when Pope Clement VII appointed Alessandro de' Medici "Duke of the Florentine Republic", thereafter making the republic a hereditary monarchy. ^[2]

Contents 1 Background 2 Early years 2.1 Tuscany’s rule restored 2.2 The 13th century 3 The Black Death, Florentine banking and the rise of the Medici 3.1 Prelude of the Renaissance 4 The Medicis' Florence 4.1 The founding of a dynasty 4.2 Cosimo’s reign (1434-1464) 4.3 Piero the Gouty (1464-1469) 4.4 Lorenzo “the Magnificent” (1469-1492) 4.5 Piero “the Unfortunate” (1492-1494) 5 Savonarola’s Florence 6 1498-1512 7 1512-1533 7.1 End of the republic 8 Government 9 See also 10 References 11 External links

[edit] Background

The city of Florence was established in 59 B.C. by Julius Caesar. The city had been part of the Marquisate of Tuscany before the death of Margravine Matilda. The city had constituted a republic just before her death. The first official mention of the republic was in 1138, when several cities around Tuscany had formed a league against Henry X of Bavria. The country was nominally part of the Holy Roman Empire.^[1]

[edit] Early years

[edit] Tuscany’s rule restored

Florence prospered in the 12th century, with extensive trade to foreign countries providing a platform for demographic growth of the city. The city built its first bridge over the Arno in 1128. The city was home to several towers and many churches. Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa invaded the Italian peninsula in 1185, briefly ending the independence of the young republic. The Margraves of Tuscany again had possession of the city. When the incumbent Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI died in 1197, the Florentines capitalised on the event, and they re-secured the city’s independence from the Marquisate of Tuscany.^[1]

[edit] The 13th century

At the end of the 12th century, Florence’s population continued to grow, reaching 30,000 inhabitants, due to a steady stream of immigration from the Tuscan countryside. This was the main buttress of Florence’s economic growth, supplemented by the ensuing peace in Florence. The city began to experience a surge of construction, with several new bridges and churches being created, such as the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in 1294. Much of the construction that occurred provided Florence’s best examples of Gothic Architecture, and where mostly built by religious orders. The precarious peace that existed at the beginning of the century did not last long, with 1216 seeing the beginning of conflict between two factions known as the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. The Ghibellines were the noble rulers of Florence, in 1244, the Ghibellines attempted to widen the social base of the government to acquire the favour of the merchant class.

The Ghibellines were deposed in 1250, by the Guelphs, who chose to pursue a different political route, which became known as the “Primo Popolo” period. This new regime led Florence to further prosperity, with the introduction of the Florin in 1252, which became popular beyond Florence’s borders (due to its fixed gold content), and the creation of the Palazzo del Popolo. The period came to end when Florence suffered a catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Montaperti at the hands of Florence’s rival Siena. The Ghibellines resumed power, and undid all the advances of the Guelphs, and they proceeded to destroy hundreds of towers, homes and palaces. The situation in Florence began to become unstable, and this caused the Ghibellines to seek out an arbitrator, in form of Pope, Clement IV. Fortunately for Florence, the Pope openly favoured the Guelphs, which led to their restoration.

The Florentine economy reaches its zenith in the latter half of the century. The Palazzo della Signiora was built in that time, designed by Arnolfo di Cambio. The territory of Florence outside the city was divided into districts in 1292. The city’s numerous luxurious palazzi began to be surrounded by townhouses built by the ever prospering merchant class of the republic, as a symbol of their wealth.^[1] In 1298, one the leading banking families of Europe, the Bonsignoris were bankrupted. This event obliterated Siena’s status as a leading banking city, and Florence began to take over that privilege.^[3]

[edit] The Black Death, Florentine banking and the rise of the Medici

With the collapse of the Bonsignori family, several new banking families sprang up in Florence, the Bardis, Peruzzis and the Acciaioulis.^[4] The friction between the Guelphs and the Ghibelliens continued into the fourteenth century, leading to several violent changes in power. The banking families of Florence were bankrupted in 1340 soon after their establishments. This occurred largely because of King Edward III of England’s refusal to pay his debts, partly due to involvement in the Hundred Years War , and a Europe-wide economic recession. The same year the banks went bankrupt, double- entry bookkeeping was invented in Florence. During the 14th century, Florence was home to some of the greatest writers of Italy: Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio, who wrote in the Tuscan dialect of Italian, breaking the tradition of writing in Latin, introducing themselves as vernacular writers.^[5]

It was not long before Florence, a major trading city, experienced the calamity of the Black Death. Having originated from the Orient, the plague arrived in Messina in 1347, having been carried by Genoese sailors. The plague devastated Europe, robbing it of an estimated 1/3 of its population. .^[6] This, combined with the economic downturn, took its toll on the city-state. The ensuing collapse of the Feudal System changed the social composition of Europe forever; it was one of the first steps out of the Middle Ages.

The city was shaken in 1378 by a revolt of the cotton workers, known as the Ciompi revolt, which led to the establishment of a revolutionary commune. In 1382, the wealthier classes crushed the seeds of rebellion.^[7] The Medici bank was established by Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici in October 1397.^[8] The bank continued to exist (albeit in an extremely diminished form) until the time of Ferdinando II de'Medici in the seventeenth century.^[9] Giovanni’s bank flourished, creating the vast Medici fortune. Giovanni’s son Cosimo founded the House of Medici.

[edit] Prelude of the Renaissance

At the turn of the 15th century, Florence saw the rise of Giovanni di Bicci’s bank, and a bankrupting war against Milan. The state authorities had been approached by the Duchy of Milan in 1422, with a treaty, stating that Florence will not interfere with Milan’s impending war with the Republic of Genoa.^[10] Milan broke the treaty and occupied a border town of Florence’s. The conservative government wanted war, while the people bemoaned such a stance, as they would be subject to enormous taxes.

The republic eventually went to war with Milan, and won upon the Republic of Venice entering into the war on the side of Florence. The war was concluded in 1427, and the Visconti of Milan were forced to sign an unfavourable treaty. The debt incurred during the war had added up to the gargantuan sum of 4,200,000 florins.^[11] The city authorities were forced to replace the “estimo” taxation system with the “castato” to pay for the debt. The castato was based on a citizen’s entire wealth, while the “estimo” system, was simply a form of income tax. The early 15th century was not all about war, with the famous Brunelleschi residing in Florence, creating the renowned dome of Santa Marie del Fiore.

[edit] The Medicis' Florence

[edit] The founding of a dynasty

The son of Giovanna di Bicci, Cosimo, succeeded his father as head of the Medici bank, upon the former’s retirement. Cosimo de'Medici played a prominent role in the government of Florence, until his exile in 1433, after a disastrous war with Tuscany’s neighbour, the Republic of Lucca.^[11] Cosimo went into to exile in Venice for less than a year, when the people of the city, overturned Cosimo’s exile in a democratic vote. Cosimo returned to the acclaim of his people, and the banishment of the Albizzi family, who exiled Cosimo.

[edit] Cosimo’s reign (1434-1464)

The Renaissance began in Cosimo’s rule of Florence, the seeds arguably having been laid, before the Black Death tore through Europe. Niccolò Niccoli was the centre of Florence humanist society at the time, and had held that position since the start of the century; it was Niccoli who appointed the first Professor of Greek, Manuel Chrysolarus (the founder of Hellenic studies in Italy) at the University of Florence in 1397.^[12] Niccoli was a keen collector of ancient manuscripts, which he bequeathed to Cosimo upon his death in 1437.^[13] Bracciolini succeeded Niccoli as the principal humanist of Florence, Bracciolini was born Arezzo in 1380, he wandered Europe searching for manuscripts for Niccoli, unlike Niccoli, Bracciolini wrote his own work, which was very diverse. Bracciolini was an outspoken critic of the church. He was made Chancellor of Florence shortly before his death, and was a good friend of Cosimo’s. Another leading member of the humanist clique of Florence was Marsilio Ficino, who translated works for Cosimo, and wrote his own philosophy based on Platonic ideas. ^[14]

Florence was host to the Great Ecumenical Council in 1439; this council was launched to reconcile the Orthodox Church with the Catholics, the Pope Eugenius IV created it, in reply to a call for help from Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (also known as the Byzantine Empire) John VIII Palaiologos, whose empire was being slowly devoured by the Turks.^[15] The council was a huge boost to Florence’s international prestige, with the Emperor John, and many other Byzantine dignitaries in attendance. The council closed in July of that year, when both parties had reached a compromise. Upon John VIII’s return though, the Greek people rejected the compromise, leading to riots around his small realm. Eventually the reconciliation had to be repudiated. The empire’s fate was sealed, as without any Catholic help, the Byzantine Empire would not survive. Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453.^[16]

Cosimo’s patronage was transforming Florence into the epitome of a Rennasicance city, patronising Donatello, Brunelleschi, and Michelozzo. This patronage of these artists and more cost Cosimo over 600,000 florins.^[17] While on the political scene, Filippo Maria Visconti of Milan had invaded Florence twice in the 1430s, and in 1440, but failed in his endeavours, he was largely instigated by the exiled Albizzi family.^[18] In 1450, Cosimo’s ally Ludovico Sforza , captured the city of Milan, declaring himself it’s duke. Cosimo had endured many crises in his reign, but had cemented Medici power over Florence, in the process becoming a great patron of the arts. Cosimo died in 1464, while Marsilio Ficino read aloud Plato.^[19]

[edit] Piero the Gouty (1464-1469)

Piero the Gouty was the eldest son of Cosimo, who ruled for a mere five years. Piero suffered from gout and did not have good health in general. Lorenzo the Magnificent was Piero’s eldest son by his wife Lucrezia Tornabuoni.^[20] Piero’s reign saw a further political division in Florecne. Cosimo had instructed to collect huge debts owed to the Medici Bank, this caused many merchants, who had taken out loans to go bankrupt at the beginning of his reign, and this led to factions springing up. There were two factions, one headed by Luca Pitti, who was against the Medici, and Piero himself.^[21] Lucca called for an armed insurrection against Piero, but a co-conspirator rebutted this.^[22] Medici ally Ludovico Sforza died in 1466, with his son Gian Galeazzo Sforza ascending to the duchy’s throne. In August of that year, the conspirators acted, they had received support from the Duke of Ferrara, who marched troops into Florentine countryside, with the intent of deposing Piero. The coup failed though, the people of Florence were not willing to support the revolt, and soon the Duke of Ferrara’s troops had left the city.^[23] The conspirators were exiled from Florence for life.^[24] While the internal problems were fixed, Venice had jumped on the opportunity to invade Florence, and in 1467, did so. Piero appointed Federigo da Montefeltro, Lord of Urbino to command his mercenaries against Venice. An inconclusive battle ensued, with Venetians forces retreating.^[25] In Winter 1469, Piero died.

[edit] Lorenzo “the Magnificent” (1469-1492)

Lorenzo succeeded his father, Piero, upon his death. Lorenzo had been accordingly groomed by his father to rule over Florence. Lorenzo was the greatest patron of the Renaissance.^[26] Lorenzo patronised Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli and others. The Renaissance had truly descended on Florence. Lorenzo commissioned amazing pieces of art, and enjoyed collecting gems. Leonardo had many children with his wife Clarice Orsini, including Pope Leo X and his eventual successor, Piero the Unfortunate.

Lorenzo’s reign boasted a peace throughout Italy, which collapsed upon his death in 1494. Lorenzo's brother Giuliano was killed before his own eyes in the Pazzi Conspiracy of 1478. This conspiracy was instigated by the Pazzi family who opposed the Medici. The coup was unsuccessful, and the conspirators were executed in a very violent manner. The coup had been supported by the Archbishop of Pisa, Francesco Salviati, who was executed, in ceremonial robes. News of this reached Pope Sixtus IV (who also supported the conspiracy), he was outraged at the sacrilege, and excommunicated everyone in Florence. Sixtus sent a delegation to Florence to arrest Lorenzo for the sacrilege.^[27] The people of Florence obviously were enraged about being excommunicated, and the local clergy joined them. The populace refused to resign Lorenzo to the Papal delegation. A war followed, which lasted for two years, until Lorenzo tactfully went about getting peace. ^[28] Lorenzo died in 1494, and was succeeded by his son Piero, who was be deposed in 1494.

[edit] Piero “the Unfortunate” (1492-1494)

Piero ruled Florence for a mere two years, his reign was ended in 1494.^[29] Charles VIII of France invaded Italy in September 1494, and demanded passage through Florence to Naples, where he intended to secure the throne. Piero met Charles at the fringes of Florence, to try and negotiate. Piero caved in to all Charles' demands, and upon arriving back in the city in November, he was branded as a traitor , and had to flee with his family into exile.

[edit] Savonarola’s Florence

After the fall of the Medici, the power vacuum was filled by Girolamo Savonarola.^[30] Savonarola was a priest from Ferrara, who came to Florence in the 1480s, and had won the people to his cause by his vigorous preaching, and his predictions. Savonarola’s new government ushered in democratic reforms and allowed many exiles back into Florence. Savonarola had a secret scheme, as he intended to transform Florence into a hyper-religious “city of god”.^[30] Florentines stopped wearing garish colours, and many women took oaths to become nuns.^[31] Savonarola became most famous for his “Bonfire of the Vanities”, where he ordered all “vanities” to be gathered and burned. These included wigs, perfume, paintings, and ancient manuscripts.^[32] Savonarola’s Florence collapsed a year after that event. Savonarola was excommunicated by Pope Alexander VI in late 1497. In the same year, Florence embarked on a war with Pisa, who had been de facto independent since Charles VIII’s invasion. The endeavour failed miserably, and this led to food shortages, and a few isolated cases of the plague. Savonarola's downfall came in May 1498, when he was tortured and executed by Florentine authorities.^[33]

[edit] 1498-1512

The city was in tatters by the time Savonarola had been killed. The state was now presided over by Piero Soderini, who was ruler of Florence for life.^[34] This period saw a democracy in Florecne, having very little corruption. The republican government succeeded where Savonarola failed, when Secretary of War, Niccolò Machiavelli achieved in capturing Pisa. It was at this time, that Machiavelli introduced a standing army for Florence, replacing the traditional use of hired mercenaries.^[35]

This period ended in September 1512, when Cardinal Giovanni de Medici captured Florence with Papal troops, during the War of the League of Cambrai, restoring Medici rule to the Italian city-state.^[36]

[edit] 1512-1533

Soon after arriving back in Florence, Cardinal Giovanni de Medici had to return to Rome, because of the death of Pope Julius II. Cardinal de Medici was elected Leo X, in the ensuing conclave, this effectively brought the Papal States and Florence in a personal union ^[37] Leo X ruled Florence by proxy, appointing his brother Giuliano de Medici, to rule in his place.

Giuliano ruled Florence until his death in 1516, and was succeeded by Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino.^[38] He fathered Catherine de' Medici. Lorenzo died from syphilis in 1519, just after the birth ff his only child. The focus of the Medici at this time was the Papacy, held by Leo X from 1513-1521. Upon Leo’s death, the Papacy passed to Adrian VI, who ruled briefly until 1523. Then Cardinal Giulio de' Medici was elected Pope Clement VII.^[39] Florence at the time was being ruled by Ippolito de' Medici and Alessandro de' Medici, under Cardinal Passerini. Ippolito was the son of Giuliano de Medici and Alessandro, the alleged son of Clement VII.

In May 1527, Rome was laid to siege by the Holy Roman Empire, in the War of the League of Cognac. The city was pillaged and destroyed, and the Medici were once again deposed in Florence, by the anti-Medici faction, upon learning of the Papal States defeat. A new wave of Puritanism swpet over Florence, with Jesus Christ being declared “King of Florence”. Many new restricting fundamentalist laws were passed.^[40] Clement VII, signed the Treaty of Barcelona with Charles V , which entailed Clement crowning Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, in exchange for the use of Imperial troops to capture Florence. The siege proved to be successful, with Florence again in the hands of the Medici.^[41]

[edit] End of the republic

In 1533, Alessandro de'Medici was created Duke of Florence. This act brought an end to the republic. The people of the state were infuriated at this, with some civil insurrection occurring.^[42] The Medici were ennobled further in 1569, when Alessandro’s successor was made Grand Duke of Tuscany. The Medici ruled the grand duchy until their extinction in 1737.

[edit] Government

Florence was governed by a council called the signoria, which consisted of nine men. The head of the signoria, was the gonfaloniere, who was elected every two months by members of the guilds. His signoria was chosen by a lottery of guild members. The lottery was often very corrupt, with the results being favourable to influential families.^[43] The gonfaloniere’s original two month-term in office was expanded upon the fall of Savonarola in 1498 to life, much like that of the Venetian Doge.^[44]

To hold an elective office, one had to be of a family that had previously held office.^[34] The Medici family effectively ruled Florence on a hereditary basis, from 1434 – 1494, 1512 – 1527, 1531, until 1533, when Alessandro de Medici was created Duke of Florence, thereby turning Florence into a hereditary monarchy.

[edit] See also

• Duchy of Florence
• Grand Duchy of Tuscany
• History of Florence

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• More information about the Republic
• Media related to Florence