The Medici Legacy: Power, Art, and Influence in Renaissance Florence

The Medici family was a powerful and influential dynasty in Renaissance Florence, known for their banking and patronage of the arts. Founded by Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici, they supported artists like Donatello and Brunelleschi. Cosimo de' Medici expanded their influence, supporting Michelangelo and Botticelli. Despite their power, they faced political challenges and scandals. Lorenzo the Magnificent furthered their legacy in art and politics. The Medici coat of arms symbolizes their wealth. Their reign ended in 1737, but their cultural impact endures.

What was the primary source of the Medici family's wealth and influence in Renaissance Florence?

• Textile manufacturing

• Banking and merchant activities

• Agriculture

• Military conquests

Who founded the Medici family's banking empire?

• Piero de' Medici

• Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici

• Lorenzo de' Medici

• Cosimo de' Medici

Which artists were supported by Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici?

• Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci

• Donatello and Filippo Brunelleschi

• Raphael and Titian

• Caravaggio and Bernini

What role did Cosimo de' Medici play in Florence?

• He was a scientist and inventor.

• He was a religious reformer.

• He was a military leader.

• He was a patron of the arts and a political figure.

Which famous artists were supported by Cosimo de' Medici?

• Donatello and Brunelleschi

• Raphael and Titian

• Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli

• Caravaggio and Bernini

What was Lorenzo de' Medici's nickname?

• Lorenzo the Wise

• Lorenzo the Brave

• Lorenzo the Magnificent

• Lorenzo the Great

What was one of Lorenzo de' Medici's key contributions to Italy?

• He reformed the church.

• He led military campaigns.

• He was a skilled politician and diplomat.

• He invented new art techniques.

What does the Medici family's coat of arms feature?

• A lion and a crown

• Six balls arranged in a pyramid shape

• A cross and a sword

• A tree and a river

What is one theory about the meaning of the balls on the Medici coat of arms?

• They represent stars.

• They symbolize the family's military victories.

• They are money bags, symbolizing wealth.

• They depict the planets.

When did the Medici family's reign come to an end?

• In the 16th century

• In the 17th century

• In the 19th century

• In the 18th century