History of the Medici Family

LA HS MF 335
Credit hours 3
Contact hours 45

This course traces the rich and varied history of the Medici family whose name has become almost synonymous with the history of Renaissance Florence itself. Beginning with the rise of the Medici bank under the astute and careful Cosimo the Elder in the early fifteenth century and concluding with the death of Giangastone de'Medici amongst the opulent luxuries of his princely palace in 1737, this course examines the Medici as bankers, statesmen, patrons of the arts, entrepreneurs and, ultimately, as absolute rulers of the state of Tuscany. The role of the women of the family will also be examined especially in relation to their dynastic marriages which linked the Medici to the leading European political powers. Visits to key Medici historic sites - palaces and villas - will form part of the course.

Prerequisite: none
*Site Visit Fee Req.