The Medici family made numerous contributions to humanism. Cosimo de' Medici was one of the first from his family to encourage humanism. He patronized artists, architects, and scholars. Other great contributions were the humanist library, and his public building program later imitated by his family and other rulers. Lorenzo de' Medici, Cosimo's grandson was also a great patron of the arts. He was a gifted poet himself, and a connoisseur of the arts. He gathered at his court the leading artists and intellectuals of his day. Some of the artists he patronized were the philosophers Marsilio Ficino and Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, the painters Botticelli and Michelangelo, and the humanist poet Angelo Poliziano. Giovanni de' Medici, who was later named Leo X after becoming the Pope, was a patron of the arts. He spent great sums of money on projects carried out by such masters as Raphael and Donato Bramante. His ex

The Medici family dominated the world of politics. They controlled Florence for many years. Although Cosimo de' Medici never held public office himself, he was still able to indirectly rule Florence through supporters and dependents. Even though the leading aristocratic party exiled him, he was still able to come back the next year and regain control. He crushed his enemies and secured his position using banishment or ruining them with excessive taxes (Encarta Encyclopedia 2000). Lorenzo de' Medici was a great politician too. His efficient government, and tactical diplomacy helped increase his popularity. Piero de' Medici, Lorenzo's son, wasn't able to become an effective ruler or banker. The aristocrats at the time took advantage of his weakness and exiled him. This finally caused the fall of the Medici bank (Holmes, 76-77). Leo X got his political power through the Church. He was made a Cardinal at only the age of thirteen and went on from there to become the pope. Unfortunately, Martin Luther ruined his reign by starting the Reformation. Clement VII also got his power through the Church, but he wasn't a very successful pope. Through marriage and politics the Medici family was able to create routes to royal families, such as the Valois Dynasty of France,

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