He returned to his birthplace only a year later. He carefully planned how to prevent such events in the future, to consolidate his position, turned to Signoria, where some representatives of the Trade Unions supported him, and began changes to the regime. His presence in the field of politics and diplomacy had a crucial role both for the city itself and for the Renaissance, as thanks to his own actions conflict between Florence and the other Italian states was avoided. He died in 1464, buried in the Temple of Medici, in San Lorenzo.
His contribution to the field of arts is remarkable, as he supported and helped in the education of prominent artists such as Botticelli and Michelangelo. He also contributed in the building of many public buildings of his era, such as the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, or else Il Duomo. Finally, his work on philosophy is remarkable as he shaped the two philosophical movements of his time by both building the Plato’ s School of Florence and by funding the translation of Pluto’ s works by Marsilio Ficino.
Picture 2: Portrait of Cosimo De’ Medici
Picture 3: Portrait of Lorenzo Dei Medici
2.3 Lorenzo Dei Medici
Lorenzo dei Medici, the Magnificent, was born in Florence in 1449, being the grandson of Cosimo the Medici. He was raised with great care by Cosimo himself, who gave special emphasis to Studia Humanitatis. He studied next to great philosophers of the time, like Marsilio Ficino, at the Plato Academy of Florence and in 1469 he became the leader of Florence until his death by succeeding his father.
He ruled with his brother Juliano, and during the early years of his rule, he aimed to strengthen the position of Medici as leaders of Florence and to limit their opponents. Because of his attempt to limit the imperialist politics of Pope Sixtus IV, he became the target of the conspiracy of Pazzi, in which his brother Julia was killed. His reaction to this action of his enemies, to execute those who were guilty, including the Archbishop of Pisa, which lead in the Florence war against Naples and the Pope.
In the following years, he was distinguished as the best leader in the history of Florence, as an outstanding diplomat and as the greatest protector and lover of the arts. He initially was the one Machiavelli considered the perfect
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