The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance

Contemporary Review, May, 2004

The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance. Paul Strathern. Jonathan Cape. [pounds sterling]20.00. xiii 431 pages. ISBN 0-224-07106-8. The Medici family dominated Florence and its mediaeval Republic and eventually spread its influence through much of Europe. Though not originally a noble family there were in time Medici popes and a Medici Queen of France and the family, at first only one of several leading families, were finally recognised as Grand Dukes of Florence.

The Medicis were famous for their patronage of artists, including Donatello, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, for their military exploits, their economic achievements and their support for the New Humanism of the Renaissance. The family's rise to ultimate rank as rulers was inextricably tied to the history of Florence with which city-republic it had a stormy relationship that covered several centuries. This enjoyable survey, which spans five centuries, is as much a history of Renaissance Italy as it is of the family that dominated Florentine life and civilisation.