Who were the Medici?

The Medici, or de Medici were a
powerful family in Florence Italy at the time of the Renaissance. They made their
fortune in the wool industry; but soon built a powerful banking empire, so powerful that
they were bankers for the Pope, and collected fees from all church
transactions.

The Medici, though powerful, had a keen sense
of community spirit, and believed that the family's honor was enhanced by contributing
to the arts. They were comfortable with their income and did not constantly crave more
and more. Among their contributions was to patronize such Renaissance artists as
Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Fillipi Lipo. A famous renaissance painting,
Venus Rising from the Sea was originally painted on the headboard
of Lorenzo de Medici. They Medici were thus of vital importance in the success of the
Italian Renaissance.

Aside from their business success and
patronage of the arts, the Medici were exceptionally powerful in political affairs. Two
members of the family became Pope: Leo X and Clement VII. Leo X was the last non priest
to become Pope, and reportedly said "God has given us the papacy, now let us enjoy it."
It was he who Martin Luther called the "Whore of Rome;" and who authorized the sale of
indulgences which led to Luther's issuance of his ninety five theses, thus precipitating
the Lutheran Reformation.  It was Clement VII who refused to annul Henry VIII's marriage
to Catherine of Aragon, and thus precipitated the English Reformation. Another Medici,
Catherine, became the husband of Henry II of France, and later regent for Charles IX and
Henry III. Thus the influence of the Medici on history cannot be
underestimated.