Cosimo Medici, banker, politician and ruler of Florence, went down in history under the nickname of the Old. The reason for this is simple: he became the founder of a more viable and branched branch of the dynasty, whose representatives for six centuries led the life of the Italian city-state. Modest and almost a simpleton to those around him, he ruled the life of Florence for many years.
Early years
Cosimo de' Medici was born in 1389. He was the eldest son of Giovanni di Bicci, a famous banker throughout Italy. The origin determined the fate of the boy. He studied at the school of the monastery of Santa Maria del Angeli, where he received an education befitting a noble youth, which included foreign languages \u200b\u200b(Greek, French, Arabic and German), philosophy and mathematics. There he discovered the world of art. As a child, Cosimo was very close to his younger brother Lorenzo, although it seemed that the rivalry for the right to run his father's banking empire should cause a rift between the brothers.
However, this is notIt happened. Cosimo already in his youth showed himself as a skilled banker and a talented entrepreneur. From 1414, on behalf of his father, he headed the branches of the Medici bank. Two years was enough for him to learn all the intricacies of the family craft. A satisfied father in 1416 entrusted Cosimo with the leadership of the most important branch located in Rome. Then he married Contessina Barda, who came from the family of Counts Fernio.
Expansion of the Medici banking network
After his father retired, Cosimo de Medici and his brother began to expand the family business. On their initiative, new branches were opened in Northern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The subject of interest of Cosimo and Lorenzo is not only financial transactions, but also trade. The opening of bank branches made it possible to establish trade relations. In particular, the Medici were interested in goods scarce in Europe: spices and furs. Within a short period of time, the trading network, the threads of which were in the hands of the Medici brothers, covered almost all of Europe, and thanks to the spice trade, extended to the Far East.
In 1429, Giovanni di Bicci died. Cosimo and Lorenzo inherited, in addition to real estate and bills, 180,000 florins. This state made it possible to redirect part of the activity to politics. At this time, in the struggle for the highest positions in Florence, two parties converged: the aristocratic and the people (Popolan party). The Medici brothers, after some deliberation, joined the latter.
Failures in politics
Back in 1415In the year Cosimo Medici was briefly elected a member of the Florentine Signoria, the highest body of city government, so he was not a novice in politics. However, in 1430 the situation did not favor him: Florence started a war with the neighboring city of Lucca, which was especially insisted on by the party of aristocrats led by Rinaldo Albizzi, the implacable enemy of the Medici.
To coordinate military operations, the Committee of Ten was created, which included Cosimo de Medici. It was a serious success, but the Signoria at that moment was completely controlled by the aristocrats. In order to further gain a foothold in the authorities, the Albizzi party decided to expel members of the people's party from the city. The reason was the accusation of Cosimo that he was spreading rumors about the theft of state money, allegedly committed by Albizzi. The banker decided to try to justify himself and appeared at the Signoria building, where he was arrested. He had every reason to fear death and therefore refused to eat. Meanwhile, Albizzi came up with a proposal to execute Cosimo. Upon learning of this, the banker managed to bribe the judges through friends. The execution was avoided, but by the decision of the balia - the extraordinary commission that considered the Medici case - Cosimo, his wife and other relatives were expelled from Florence for 10 years.
Failed expulsion
The banker took the decision of the balia calmly and only asked to provide him with protection, since many of his enemies had gathered on the street. As it turned out, the fears were in vain: Florentine people all the wayCosimo to the border of the republic showed him signs of respect. The Medici family settled in Padua. From there, Cosimo continued to follow the political life of his native city and established contacts with representatives of the opposition of the aristocratic party.
In 1434, elections were held for the Signoria, as a result of which nine supporters of Cosimo took places in it. Panic gripped the aristocratic party. Albizzi even suggested that the election results be declared invalid and prevent popolans from entering the new lists of candidates. But most of his supporters did not dare to take such a step. Meanwhile, the new government demanded the trial of Albizzi and his supporters. They tried to raise an uprising, but it was not successful. The aristocrats were defeated, and Cosimo de' Medici was able to return to Florence.
Board
Cosimo became the first representative of the dynasty to receive full power in the republic. However, he did not annoy the people by giving himself magnificent titles. His policy was aimed at reducing the contradictions between different segments of the Florentine population, as well as establishing peaceful relations with the hostile Milan, Naples and Venice.
Imprisonment and exile had no effect on the Medici banking network. She continued to flourish and bring in a large income, which allowed Cosimo not only to decorate her native city and patronize cultural figures, but also to organize grain distributions in lean years. For this, the Florentine people presented him with the title of "fatherhomeland".
New enemies
The trial of the party of aristocrats is an important fact for the biography of Cosimo Medici. For some time, he could not be afraid of encroachments on his power and take up the dispensation of Florence. However, over time, the situation has changed. Not everyone was happy with the decisions he made, and soon a hostile Medici party was formed, led by Neri Capponi. He was a talented military leader and enjoyed authority among the soldiers. Cosimo's main complaint was his crude methods of maintaining his power.
For a while, Cosimo was not afraid of Capponi. But in 1441, he became close to another popular commander, Baldaccio Anghiari, who was rumored to be the strongest and most fearless man not only in Florence, but in all of Italy.
To break up such a dangerous coalition, the Medici turned to Anghiari's old enemy, Bartolomeo Orlandini. He was offended by Anghiari's harsh remarks, and Orlandini's greatest anger was caused by the accusation of cowardice. When Anghiari came to the Medici palace to negotiate a salary for his soldiers, Orlandini was already waiting for him. The captain was killed and his corpse thrown out of the window.
Establishment of a one-man board
After the death of Anghiari, Cosimo Medici could no longer be afraid of the Capponi party. He had no rivals on the political field. This allowed the banker to do away with the main principles of the republican structure of Florence.
In 1441, a decree was promulgated, according to which representatives of a number of noble families were deprived of the right to occupy positions in government. This is an orderimplemented without apparent resistance. Already quite old, Cosimo de Medici got the opportunity to single-handedly control the fate of his native city, placing his supporters in the most significant positions and bribing or completely eliminating those who did not always support him.
Philanthropist
Cosimo Medici became famous as a connoisseur of art. Under him, Florence significantly changed its appearance in accordance with the requirements of the Renaissance. To this day, against the backdrop of the beautiful buildings built on his initiative, numerous tourists take photos. Cosimo de' Medici, in particular, invested in the construction of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Among the secular buildings, the Palazzo Medici is especially significant - the palace in which the Medici family lived.
The banker developed a particularly close relationship with the sculptor Donatello. The great master was famous for his uncompromising disposition and even obstinacy, but the Medici was able to find a common language with him. It was on the order of the "father of the fatherland" that Donatello created the statue of "David" - the first sculptural image of a naked man since ancient Rome. Since that time, Italian culture has been moving away from medieval canons and returning to ancient origins.
Last years and death
The thirty-year reign of Cosimo de' Medici ended on August 1, 1464. His last years were not easy. First, there was a serious split in the party of the popolans, which had to be eliminated a lot of timeand forces, then a crisis in the family business was discovered. Taking advantage of the troubles, the opposition tried to remove Cosimo from power, but his authority among the people was enough to stop all attempts.
Shortly before his death, the banker entrusted his eldest son, Pietro, with running the business. In addition to the troubled, but still powerful financial empire, the children of Cosimo Medici inherited the enormous authority of their father and the prospect of taking his place as the un titled ruler of Florence.
