- Europe, 1400: A continent torn apart by war and plague is dominated by the authority of the Catholic Church. In the towns and cities live merchants and entrepreneurs who sense that their world is changing. With increasing trade and wealth an appetite for enlightenment develops.No longer neglected in the shadows of the Church, classical philosophy, poetry, art and sculpture begin to reach a new audience. This is especially true in cosmopolitan cities like Florence, home of Cosimo de'Medici.—Anonymous
- In the year 1400, Florence, lain in the Tuscany region of Italy, was a major trading center and republic where powerful families competed for political control. Under Giovanni de' Medici, the Medici bank was a growing operation that gained valuable influence from even the anti-pope, John XXIII, himself. In order to obtain more power and glory for the family, Giovanni and his son, Cosimo de' Medici, assigned Filippo Brunelleschi to finish the dome of Florence. A most ambitious and abandoned project to realize the largest, unsupported dome in Christendom by applying the classical orders or architecture as observed in Rome.
When Giovanni died in 1429, the Albizzi family, whom were ruling Florence at that time, accused Cosimo of treason. Through an unrightful referendum, he was found guilty and sentenced to death. By means of his influence and money, Cosimo was able to escape his faith but was banished from the city. As many commercial affairs were managed through the Medici bank, the city soon fell in decay. The people grew tired of the Albizzi and within a year, Cosimo was offered control of the city "making him king in everything but the name".
By growth and influence from the church, the Medici bank expanded its clientele beyond the borders of Italy. Soon, it became the most profitable business in all of Europe. With hit capital, Cosimo commissioned the finest craftsman, transforming wealth into prestige and power. The dome was finished in 1436, the idea of linear perspective was introduced, and the daring statue of Donatello's David was sculpted. Cosimo died in 1464 and was declared 'Father of the Fatherland' by the people of Florence.
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