COSIMO THE ELDER'S STRUGGLE FOR POWER

Cosimo the Elder's Struggle for Power against the Albizi Family and the Pazzi Conspiracy

Cosimo the Elder's Struggle for Power against the Albizi Family and the Pazzi Conspiracy

Introduction

Cosimo di Giovanni de 'Medici was the first major representative of the family of the Medici, ruler of Florence. He was the elder son of Giovanni di Bicci de 'Medici and Piccardy de Bueri. of the Medici , ruler of Florence . Elder son of Giovanni di Bicci de 'Medici and Piccardy de Bueri. His family lived in a house on the Piazza del Duomo, the father founded the bank, which in 1410 was a powerful institution. Cosmas had two brothers, Lorenzo and Pierfrancesco, who was born in 1431. After the death of Cosimo di Giovanni de 'Medici, he was awarded the title Pater Patriae, which means Father of the Fatherland. He was also known as: Elder and Cosimo Cosimo Pater Patriae (Category: Medici Family, 2012).

His father, Giovanni de' Bicci Medici, appears to have created the Medici wealth, and Cosimo was to use it to fuel the machine of his own power in Florence. He was exiled by the ascendant Albizzi faction in 1433, having opposed the imposition of taxes for what proved a disastrous war. He returned in 1434 and stifled family faction while maintaining the façade of republican government with a mixture of ruthlessness and urbanity. He employed some of his wealth in patronage of the arts, including Europe's first public library, and made the city the centre of the new learning. He was posthumously commemorated as 'Pater Patriae'.

Discussion

Medici, Cosimo de' the Elder (1389 to 1464) was a Florentine financier, statesman and philanthropist. His father, Giovanni de Bicci de' Medici, appears to have created the Medici wealth, and Cosimo was to use it to fuel the machine of his own power in Florence. He was exiled by the ascendant Albizzi faction in 1433, having opposed the imposition of taxes for what proved a disastrous war. Medici family had several enemies. Between them and other great families of Italy took the rivalry. Albizzich Family attempted murder of Cosmas, and when that failed it to lead to his imprisonment in 1433 year. But within a year, Kosma managed to return to Florence and got great power and influence. Over the next thirty years, he was in fact, though not the titular leader of Florence. His authority was based on providing through measures such as reducing taxes for selected groups, conducting public works and patronage, advantage of his supporters in the city government.

In 1411 he was sent to Venice for exemption of the Florentine merchants from fees charged to foreigners to finance the war against Sigismund of Hungary, in the period 1413-1415 dealt with Gregory XII to the composition of the Schism, advancing to Naples to congratulate Giovanna of his accession to the throne. The old age of Maso led him in 1416 not to depart from Florence, fearing that the sudden death of his father ...