All of this took place during the Renaissance which saw a revived interest in the arts, it was a time of movement, forward thinking and progressiveness. New ideas and thoughts gave Europeans a new direction and excitement for the future. A time like this needed a powerful leader.

Lorenzo de Medici was likely to have great power over his city and country, like his father and grandfather before him. "Although he projected an image of himself as a man who led a life of sobriety and simplicity, the fact remains that he always enjoyed the good things of life: wine, food, music, books and beautiful surroundings, and that he positively delighted in spending money". 1 During his lifetime, Lorenzo had a great influence on many artists who lived or moved through Florence, he ruled the city until his death, and was also a gifted artist and poet himself.

time was taken up with town-planning, palace-building, and the design of gunpowder fortifications for the contado. He sat on a number of committees concerned with the

This man, in the eyes of the world, was the most illustrious, the richest, the most stately, and the most renowned among men. Everyone declared that he ruled Italy; and in very truth he was possessed of great wisdom and all his undertakings prospered". 19

Lorenzo was always a busy man, but more so after the death of his dearly beloved wife. His death forthcoming, Lorenzo finally received his greatest ambition and goal when his son, Giovanni, had been formally nominated Cardinal Deacon of Santa Maria in Domenica. 17 This appointment of a Medici family member to the religious hierarchy was a great honor. Although the Pope had specified that the exciting information not be released to the public for three years, Lorenzo could not hold back: "The elevation of Giovanni to the dignity of a prince of the Church meant that the Medici family could finally be said to have achieved that respectability they had so long sought" 18. With the acknowledgment of the news there were great celebrations and festivities for days in which all of Florence was able to acknowledge the Medici's great accomplishment.

From his earliest days, Lorenzo received the best education. He was taught by the best and brightest intellectuals in Florence. And Lorenzo was an avid learner: "by the age of twelve Lorenzo was reading Latin with pleasure, and combining the study of Ovid with that of Dante; he began to write poems of his own when he was about sixteen". 4 It was this love of learning and eagerness to please that made Lorenzo perfect for public office. Another part of his education and preparation to be the next ruler of Florence started at age 15. 5 At this time, young Lorenzo was sent on missions throughout Italy to plan, interact and work with many prominent families as well as, royalty. "Piero had begun to coach him for the responsibilities to which it was hoped he would fall heir, by sending him on courtesy missions to some of the ruling families with whom he would have to deal" 6. It was not until several years later, after his father's death in 1469 7, that Lorenzo began to rule Florence with his brother, Guiliano. By this time, Lorenzo knew his duty as a Medici and realized that it was his turn to control the destiny of this great Italian city:

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Approximate Word count = 2060
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)