What is the House of Medici?

Answer by  patti (29325)

The House of Medici was a banking family that became a political dynasty and later a royal house. It began under Cosimo de Medici in Florence during the late 1300s. The family had originated in the the Tuscan countryside and expanded financially, finally founding the Medici Bank.

Answer by  pyritejenny (347)

The House of Medici was a great Italian family, famous in banking and politics, and as patrons of the arts and sciences. Three popes were Medicis, and two French queens. Gallileo Galilei tutored generations of their children, and they supported the work of Raphael, Leonardo daVinci, and Botticelli.

Answer by  Yada (5)

The name is in reference to a powerful Florentine family, whose members were wealthy bankers to start with, and later on would become known as the unofficial rulers of Florence.

Answer by  jclick (1561)

The Medicis were a very powerful family who began to grow in influence during the 14th century based on their growing prominence in the textile trade. The family line produced four popes and was granted the hereditary right to the Duchy of Florence.